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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
#377
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: NYC/BOS
Programs: AA Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 54
MIA-JFK
5/10/2018
MIA-JFK
767-300
Dinner
Had a late dinner, due to a delay. The crew was great, especially the girl working my aisle. Choice of the ravioli or grilled chicken with vegetables. I got my choice of the chicken, and it actually was not bad. It did not taste like rubber and had flavor. PDB of water or OJ, and once we were delayed the FA did a service. Warm nuts were given, and drinks were actively refilled.
#378
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
DEN-LAX
Snack
LUS Tattered A319
PDB of choice prior to takeoff!
Once in the air, warm nuts, followed by drink of choice. A moron was up during turbulence and after the flight attendants were asked to take their seats and "got hurt." Though he walked off of the plane first and declined treatment by the paramedics upon landing. Ugh. Anyway, attending to his needs delayed service, though we were eventually served a snack. Expecting to get snack basketed, I was pleased to receive a choice between the hummus plate or the fruit and cheese plate. I went with the hummus (pictured below). My drink was kept full up until landing, and mints served prior to landing!
Snack
LUS Tattered A319
PDB of choice prior to takeoff!
Once in the air, warm nuts, followed by drink of choice. A moron was up during turbulence and after the flight attendants were asked to take their seats and "got hurt." Though he walked off of the plane first and declined treatment by the paramedics upon landing. Ugh. Anyway, attending to his needs delayed service, though we were eventually served a snack. Expecting to get snack basketed, I was pleased to receive a choice between the hummus plate or the fruit and cheese plate. I went with the hummus (pictured below). My drink was kept full up until landing, and mints served prior to landing!
#379
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Denver
Programs: AS, AA, UA, Hilton, Marriott, Caesars DE
Posts: 2,070
#380
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,033
#381
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
Haha yeah. Your guess is as good as mine. I've never seen green hummus either. It tasted better than it looked, and the pea pods were actually tasty and fresh. Still, I'm not sure what I was supposed to eat the green sludge with...the 3 crackers certainly weren't enough.
#383
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: Marriott, Delta, United, AA
Posts: 315
Upcoming 6+ hour transcon bos-lax coming up for dinner. Only choice online is :
Grilled Chicken with haricots verts, cherry tomatoes, olives, garlic herb butter
Would you wait,can pre order changes happen? Isn't this the same meal AA use to serve on bos-ord maybe just a larger portion for a longer flight
Grilled Chicken with haricots verts, cherry tomatoes, olives, garlic herb butter
Would you wait,can pre order changes happen? Isn't this the same meal AA use to serve on bos-ord maybe just a larger portion for a longer flight
#384
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
Upcoming 6+ hour transcon bos-lax coming up for dinner. Only choice online is :
Grilled Chicken with haricots verts, cherry tomatoes, olives, garlic herb butter
Would you wait,can pre order changes happen? Isn't this the same meal AA use to serve on bos-ord maybe just a larger portion for a longer flight
Grilled Chicken with haricots verts, cherry tomatoes, olives, garlic herb butter
Would you wait,can pre order changes happen? Isn't this the same meal AA use to serve on bos-ord maybe just a larger portion for a longer flight
Last edited by jcatman; May 14, 2018 at 11:32 pm Reason: Make the comment even more sarcastic.
#385
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: Marriott, Delta, United, AA
Posts: 315
I remember this meal on AA, it was really small If i remember correctly which was fine on BOS-ORD. Is it safe to assume this is a larger portion then offered on short BOS-ORD or will i be hungry on a 6.5 hour flight that is very often late in the evenings. I guess i can always roll the dice and see what they offer on board?
Do the meals ever change online, is it worth checking in a week to see if it updates or is that my ONLY option? I find it weird they offer me one choice besides the restricted diet options.
#386
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
haha I think she rejected the meal and asked for something from the snack basket
I remember this meal on AA, it was really small If i remember correctly which was fine on BOS-ORD. Is it safe to assume this is a larger portion then offered on short BOS-ORD or will i be hungry on a 6.5 hour flight that is very often late in the evenings. I guess i can always roll the dice and see what they offer on board?
Do the meals ever change online, is it worth checking in a week to see if it updates or is that my ONLY option? I find it weird they offer me one choice besides the restricted diet options.
I remember this meal on AA, it was really small If i remember correctly which was fine on BOS-ORD. Is it safe to assume this is a larger portion then offered on short BOS-ORD or will i be hungry on a 6.5 hour flight that is very often late in the evenings. I guess i can always roll the dice and see what they offer on board?
Do the meals ever change online, is it worth checking in a week to see if it updates or is that my ONLY option? I find it weird they offer me one choice besides the restricted diet options.
You should not assume it will be larger because it's a transcon.
There should be one other selection, plus a cheese plate in the online pre-select menu. It is odd that this in the only "regular" entree you are seeing.
#387
Formerly known as billinaz
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Goodyear,AZ for now then FL Spacecoast
Programs: US Airways Dividend Miles, American AAdvantage, Avis Preferred, Budget Rapid Rez, Hilton Honors
Posts: 1,145
PHX-MCO
5/3/2018
Breakfast
Omelette option
CLT-PHX
5/12/2018
Stuffed Pablano Pepper (FA called it the vegetarian option)
The Fruit and Cheese plate option
5/3/2018
Breakfast
Omelette option
CLT-PHX
5/12/2018
Stuffed Pablano Pepper (FA called it the vegetarian option)
The Fruit and Cheese plate option
#388
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
Upcoming 6+ hour transcon bos-lax coming up for dinner. Only choice online is :
Grilled Chicken with haricots verts, cherry tomatoes, olives, garlic herb butter
Would you wait,can pre order changes happen? Isn't this the same meal AA use to serve on bos-ord maybe just a larger portion for a longer flight
Grilled Chicken with haricots verts, cherry tomatoes, olives, garlic herb butter
Would you wait,can pre order changes happen? Isn't this the same meal AA use to serve on bos-ord maybe just a larger portion for a longer flight
To wit,
AA 1319 (BOS->ORD)
B738 (LAA)
Dinner
There was a PDB service from outstanding ORD-based FA Catherine. Warm towel service provided, warm nuts with offers to refill (haven't seen that in awhile), followed by multiple top ups for beverages. Meal service was also excellent. She served the (warmed) cookies after the meal trays were cleared, which I think is a nice touch. Pre-select choice of the ravioli was acknowledged. Meal was adequate. Unfortunately, we diverted to DTW after a two hour delay from Boston. Crew went over time and subsequently had to catch a Delta flight to Chicago in the morning.
#389
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: Marriott, Delta, United, AA
Posts: 315
thanks everyone, this site is a life saver! You are all the best
Does AA typically offer different meals on board or is it the same choices as online?
Does AA typically offer different meals on board or is it the same choices as online?
#390
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,440
The main choices are the same (generally 2 options for domestic, more for premium transcon or international.) The cheese plate and special meals (AVML, Kosher, etc.) are only available by preorder.