Jan 1, 2018, 1:30 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
AA/US Domestic Dining (including Canada, Mexico, & the Caribbean)
See here for the 2019 domestic meal thread.
Note: this thread is about meals served on domestic AA flights.
Link to Combined 2018 AA International Meal / Meals - menu / photos / etc. (master thread)
There is another thread for the contingent that wishes to debate and discuss linens as a primary subject, including related presentation issues: Linens / presentation debate for meal service on AA, US / both.
PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST. /Moderators
Welcome to the 2018 Domestic Dining thread and the resulting discussion/trip reports/photos/shared experiences. Here, in this wiki post, I'll strive to explain what you should expect on AA flights in First and Business, meals-wise. Keep in mind that there are many domestic flights, so there are quite a few parameters to keep track of.
Basically, in its best condensed form, you should expect to receive a meal between 4:59am - 8pm on flights longer than 900 miles, which equals about two hours in the air. From that point, there are exceptions, and specific timing parameters.
What to Expect - Mainline:
Keep in mind that this list is not entirely inclusive, and there may be certain exceptions and/or abnormalities.
- Up to 699 miles: Light snacks such as a fig bar, cookies, and/or pretzels
- 700-899 miles: Warmed nuts, a snack plate (fruit/cheese, pita/hummus, or spinach dip/pita), and a cookie
- 900-1298 miles: A meal (fruit/breakfast entree; salad/entree) followed by a cookie; no meals between 1:30-4pm
- 1298-2199 miles: A full meal including an appetizer, with cake for lunch desserts and premade ice-cream for dinner desserts
- 2200 miles and above: Same as 1298-2199 miles, but consists of made-to-order sundaes or a cheese plate for both lunch and dinner desserts
What to Expect - Regional:
Keep in mind that this list is not entirely inclusive, and there may be certain exceptions and/or abnormalities.
- Up to 175 miles: A light snack mix along with beverage service
- 176-899 miles: Sweet and savory, organic/healthy snack choices (snack basket)
- 900-2199 miles: Warm mixed nuts, two meal options, and dessert. (For flights over 2200 miles, you will receive the same selection of snacks from 176-899 miles as a pre-arrival snack. All regional meal flights leaving after 8:00pm will also receive sweet and savory snacks as the only option. Editor's note: A regional jet for 2000+ miles? Hope that never happens!)
All of the meal flights that fall under the above timing parameters will receive two choices; normally, one meat and one vegetarian.
Longer westbound flights leaving from the east coast (transcontinental; non-premium) are not officially exceptions, but some flights after 8pm receive a full dinner service (such as the 8:05pm MIA-SAN flight, or the 8:30pm PHL-LAS flight). Additionally, non-premium transcontinental red-eye flights will receive snack basket service upon departure, then a continental breakfast box prior to arrival.
Official Exceptions:
The following flights all fall under 900 miles, but will receive a full meal service, with the exception of flights leaving between 1:31-4pm. Despite some of the listed flights being over 900 miles, they are remaining listed here, based on the AA website for documentation purposes.
- Chicago (ORD) - AUS/BDL/BOS/DCA/EWR/JFK/LGA/MSY/RDU
- Dallas (DFW) - BJX/ORD/MEX/QRO/SLP
- Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - PAP
- Los Angeles (LAX) - DEN
- Miami (MIA) - DCA/IAD/PAP
- New York (LGA) - ATL
- Phoenix (PHX) - MZT
Additional Information:
- JFK-LAX/SFO; MIA-LAX are considered premium transcontinental flights, and as such, receives a more refined service with three meal choices, per-course service, printed menus, and tray/tablecloth linens in both F/J. Those flights now are the only domestic flights in the system to offer special meals as another option (which can be reserved by either preordering online, or calling). Red-eye flights will receive a full "supper/snack" meal service, which is basically a condensed dinner service.
- Hawaiian meal service is very similar to what you'd expect on 2200+ mile flights, but there also will be Hawaiian rolls served, along with a pre-arrival continental breakfast/snack (dependent on the length of the route). Tropical warmed nuts are also currently served.
- All flights over 700 miles, regardless of a meal being served or not, will receive warm mixed nuts and a cookie.
Disclaimer: The editor of this Wiki does not guarantee the information presented above will always be accurate or properly followed by AA, given catering mishaps, irregular operations, rogue crews, or mismanagement. For the best up-to-date information, it would be prudent to check AA's website constantly for any updates, or call AA. The editors of this Wiki will keep this Wiki updated as often as possible.
ARCHIVE: 2018 AA Domestic Meal / Meals - menu / photos / etc. (master thread)
Apr 12, 2018, 11:07 pm
#286
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Denver
Programs: AS, AA, UA, Hilton, Marriott, Caesars DE
Posts: 2,070
Route: DEN-CLT
Date: 4/9
Flight: 400
Time: 7:05AM
Meal: Fresh Seasonal Fruit Plate
Open bar PDB was provided. Not much else to say other than the fact that the fruit is significantly less sufficient than a breakfast sandwich, but if you want to cut calories.... sure. Fruit itself was mediocre at best, so best part of the meal was the yogurt and biscuit.
Date: 4/9
Flight: 400
Time: 7:05AM
Meal: Fresh Seasonal Fruit Plate
Open bar PDB was provided. Not much else to say other than the fact that the fruit is significantly less sufficient than a breakfast sandwich, but if you want to cut calories.... sure. Fruit itself was mediocre at best, so best part of the meal was the yogurt and biscuit.
Apr 12, 2018, 11:20 pm
#287
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Denver
Programs: AS, AA, UA, Hilton, Marriott, Caesars DE
Posts: 2,070
Route: CLT-DEN
Date: 4/12
Flight: 2090
Time: 4:45PM
Meal: Grilled Beef Short Rib
Open bar PDB. An almost unheard of procedure was done, FEBO on this flight, luckily was in the last row unlike my outbound (I now realize my flight was an even number, but I will take that small victory anyways). Nuts and drinks were provided after 10k feet. Meal was served with a choice of sourdough, multi grain or basil roll. Side of cheese wedges and some ham product and an awful artichoke sliver. Was actually impressed by the salad as it was a greek salad. Contained feta, pepperoncinis, olives, cucumber and tomatoes, so better than some International AA flight salads I have had. Meal was a short rib, I don't eat red meat very often and cannot say anything about it, so I posted a picture for everyone who yells how their airplane beef is always overcooked. Side on the main was a twice baked potato with cheese, which I quite enjoyed. Dessert, strawberry ice cream.
Date: 4/12
Flight: 2090
Time: 4:45PM
Meal: Grilled Beef Short Rib
Open bar PDB. An almost unheard of procedure was done, FEBO on this flight, luckily was in the last row unlike my outbound (I now realize my flight was an even number, but I will take that small victory anyways). Nuts and drinks were provided after 10k feet. Meal was served with a choice of sourdough, multi grain or basil roll. Side of cheese wedges and some ham product and an awful artichoke sliver. Was actually impressed by the salad as it was a greek salad. Contained feta, pepperoncinis, olives, cucumber and tomatoes, so better than some International AA flight salads I have had. Meal was a short rib, I don't eat red meat very often and cannot say anything about it, so I posted a picture for everyone who yells how their airplane beef is always overcooked. Side on the main was a twice baked potato with cheese, which I quite enjoyed. Dessert, strawberry ice cream.
Apr 13, 2018, 6:28 am
#288
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: USA
Programs: AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 653
Unless recently upgraded, the "meal" for economy passengers on the non-stop DFW flights is a wrap sandwich (veggie or with meat), chips and a cookie or something similar. No other choices are offered.
Apr 13, 2018, 6:50 am
#289
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: DFW/PHL
Programs: US CP, UA *G; SPG Plat, Hilton Gold; Natl Exec, Hertz PC
Posts: 623
Short ribs are unlike the traditional steaks that people complain about being overcooked. They contain significantly more connective tissue and generally benefit from long cook times. It's actually very difficult to overcook! I'm surprised AA doesn't use more of these "easy to cook and reheat" dishes.
Apr 13, 2018, 6:57 am
#290
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
Requested a Hindu meal on an upcoming midcon (sticker upgrade actually cleared!!!). Morbidly curious what LCC will come up with. Hopefully not just the same as the asian veg meal?
Apr 13, 2018, 10:52 pm
#291
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: San Francisco area
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott T
Posts: 455
Atl-phx f avm
Following last week SJC-DFW ride, I ordered AVM again on ATL-PHX dinner flight, not as good as last one but acceptable. A mish mash of small plates, mains were potatoes+spinach+
cauliflower+saffron rice. The heat level was perfect. Not a fan of strawberry ice cream at all, how long has it been in circulation?
cauliflower+saffron rice. The heat level was perfect. Not a fan of strawberry ice cream at all, how long has it been in circulation?
Apr 13, 2018, 11:19 pm
#292
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
Following last week SJC-DFW ride, I ordered AVM again on ATL-PHX dinner flight, not as good as last one but acceptable. A mish mash of small plates, mains were potatoes+spinach+
cauliflower+saffron rice. The heat level was perfect. Not a fan of strawberry ice cream at all, how long has it been in circulation?
cauliflower+saffron rice. The heat level was perfect. Not a fan of strawberry ice cream at all, how long has it been in circulation?
Apr 16, 2018, 8:44 am
#293
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: TK Elite+, DL Plat, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Spire, IC Ambassador, Hilton Gold
Posts: 186
Last edited by dtphonehome; Apr 16, 2018 at 8:56 am
Apr 16, 2018, 9:12 am
#294
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,463
and my FRA-MUC which was a 40-minute airtime flight was served a meal... What does this have to do with American Airlines???
Apr 17, 2018, 6:35 am
#295
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
LGA-ORD
LAA 738 (2001 model!)
Lunch
Lasagna or Greek salad with chicken.
PDB of water/OJ only
Greek salad is one of the healthier and best meals on domestic AA IMO. There was bread offered as well after I took this pic.
Cookie was decent too.
No service or refills offered for the last 45 minutes of the flight. It looked like the FA's were eating their catered lunch in the galley. Do they get catered meals domestically on a short flight like this, I thought it was only the pilots but could be mistaken?
LAA 738 (2001 model!)
Lunch
Lasagna or Greek salad with chicken.
PDB of water/OJ only
Greek salad is one of the healthier and best meals on domestic AA IMO. There was bread offered as well after I took this pic.
Cookie was decent too.
No service or refills offered for the last 45 minutes of the flight. It looked like the FA's were eating their catered lunch in the galley. Do they get catered meals domestically on a short flight like this, I thought it was only the pilots but could be mistaken?
Apr 18, 2018, 6:23 pm
#296
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,463
Cookie was decent too.
No service or refills offered for the last 45 minutes of the flight. It looked like the FA's were eating their catered lunch in the galley. Do they get catered meals domestically on a short flight like this, I thought it was only the pilots but could be mistaken?
Apr 18, 2018, 9:46 pm
#297
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Since when do they not pass out pretzels anymore in main cabin? I was on the "new" AA Shuttle ORD-LGA (mainline FWIW) tonight in MCE and there were no free snacks offered to anyone. I didn't press it since I got a double on my drink as an EXP without question......just weird. Also there was no special mention of the flight being a Shuttle flight or that beer/wine were free for all in main cabin......is AA just hoping the kettles won't know?
Apr 19, 2018, 1:21 am
#298
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: ASE
Programs: UA 1MM, AA1MM PLTPRO, Hertz PC, National EXC, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,357
LAX-OGG
AA205
LAA A321 (Sharklets)
Dinner
4/17/18
Incredible service that earned the FA an AApplause certificate aboard the flight.
Boarding started about 90 minutes, and as per usual with AA, the delays crept in about 10 minute intervals. SO Frustrating as I could have spent the time in the Admiral's Club getting work done instead of at the gate. I digress...
PDB of OJ, water, or champagne offered in the international plastic PDB cups. Pillow and the Casper blanket were on the seat. Earbuds distributed prior to takeoff.
As we waited a bit longer on the ground, FA took meal orders. My pre-order was acknowledged. ^
Once in the air, hot towels offered. Tray table linens were then distributed. Classy. ^
Drink of choice and hot nuts were offered. I miss the tropical nuts.
Dasani water bottles were distributed. FA proactively came around with an additional glass of ice water to go along with your drink of choice, too. ^
Meal choices today were the island surf and turf (pictured below) or the chow mein pasta. I chose the surf and turf. The appetizer consisted of salmon and cream wrapped in red cabbage. It was perfect and refreshing.
Catering forgot to load salad dressing apparently. LAX catering is always an adventure. The salad was still good.
The island surf and turf featured one shrimp and a decent cut of beef with fingerling potatoes on the side. Bread offered from the bread basket. I miss the Hawaiian rolls. My seat opponent stole the last pretzel roll, so I was stuck with sourdough, which was fine.
Made to order sundae offered and drinks proactively offered along with the dessert. ^
Drink was kept full throughout the flight. Snack basket passed around prior to landing. And as one might expect with this outstanding service, mints offered prior to landing.
Overall, an excellent flight that hearkened back to the good old days of AA.
AA205
LAA A321 (Sharklets)
Dinner
4/17/18
Incredible service that earned the FA an AApplause certificate aboard the flight.
Boarding started about 90 minutes, and as per usual with AA, the delays crept in about 10 minute intervals. SO Frustrating as I could have spent the time in the Admiral's Club getting work done instead of at the gate. I digress...
PDB of OJ, water, or champagne offered in the international plastic PDB cups. Pillow and the Casper blanket were on the seat. Earbuds distributed prior to takeoff.
As we waited a bit longer on the ground, FA took meal orders. My pre-order was acknowledged. ^
Once in the air, hot towels offered. Tray table linens were then distributed. Classy. ^
Drink of choice and hot nuts were offered. I miss the tropical nuts.
Dasani water bottles were distributed. FA proactively came around with an additional glass of ice water to go along with your drink of choice, too. ^
Meal choices today were the island surf and turf (pictured below) or the chow mein pasta. I chose the surf and turf. The appetizer consisted of salmon and cream wrapped in red cabbage. It was perfect and refreshing.
Catering forgot to load salad dressing apparently. LAX catering is always an adventure. The salad was still good.
The island surf and turf featured one shrimp and a decent cut of beef with fingerling potatoes on the side. Bread offered from the bread basket. I miss the Hawaiian rolls. My seat opponent stole the last pretzel roll, so I was stuck with sourdough, which was fine.
Made to order sundae offered and drinks proactively offered along with the dessert. ^
Drink was kept full throughout the flight. Snack basket passed around prior to landing. And as one might expect with this outstanding service, mints offered prior to landing.
Overall, an excellent flight that hearkened back to the good old days of AA.
Apr 19, 2018, 11:08 am
#299
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,795
Anybody know what AA is stocking for beer at the moment? I have LAX-LHR next week so I'm curious what's available for free in the beer column.
Apr 19, 2018, 11:19 am
#300
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP, SPG / Marriott GLD, HHonors GLD
Posts: 520
Not sure how J beers translate to other cabins on international; but I imagine the Y selection was probably similar (ie bud/light, voodoo ranger, heinken, dos equis are usually available in both Y and F on domestic flights)