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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
#391
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SBA
Programs: UA & AA 1 million miler
Posts: 1,134
For LAX-HNL morning flight preorder these are two choices.
Kaula Pork Enchiladas (With roasted pepper mango salsa and Monterey Jack cheese)
or
Banana Breakfast Bread Pudding (coconut vanilla cream)
Does anybody have photos, reviews, or recommendations?
Kaula Pork Enchiladas (With roasted pepper mango salsa and Monterey Jack cheese)
or
Banana Breakfast Bread Pudding (coconut vanilla cream)
Does anybody have photos, reviews, or recommendations?
#392
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: DC
Programs: AA Plat, MVP Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 116
AA6043
LAX-SEA
Lunch
ERJ-175
First Class, 3A
Full PDB by a fantastic FA (Shawna - I made sure to let the AA Twitter team know how fantastic she was). No ovens on the RJs, so meal options were the Vietnamese Noodle Salad with chicken on the side (which they also said was the vegetarian option) or a chicken, edamame hummus, feta and veggie wrap with a side of pita chips. I’ve had the salad many times before so I went for the wrap - definitely the better choice (I’d even order it on the ground at the airport if I could!). Meal was served with borderline ice cold mixed nuts (though at least they weren’t stale and rubbery like they were on my last DCA-PHX flight). Dessert was a mini carrot cake which was delicious (though carrot cake is my favorite). Definitely the healthiest of the lunch options I’ve seen on AA in a good while. FA also commandeered a snack basket from the earlier flight and brought it around. Fantastic service with multiple refills on drinks. Pleasantly surprised overall for a short RJ flight!
LAX-SEA
Lunch
ERJ-175
First Class, 3A
Full PDB by a fantastic FA (Shawna - I made sure to let the AA Twitter team know how fantastic she was). No ovens on the RJs, so meal options were the Vietnamese Noodle Salad with chicken on the side (which they also said was the vegetarian option) or a chicken, edamame hummus, feta and veggie wrap with a side of pita chips. I’ve had the salad many times before so I went for the wrap - definitely the better choice (I’d even order it on the ground at the airport if I could!). Meal was served with borderline ice cold mixed nuts (though at least they weren’t stale and rubbery like they were on my last DCA-PHX flight). Dessert was a mini carrot cake which was delicious (though carrot cake is my favorite). Definitely the healthiest of the lunch options I’ve seen on AA in a good while. FA also commandeered a snack basket from the earlier flight and brought it around. Fantastic service with multiple refills on drinks. Pleasantly surprised overall for a short RJ flight!
Last edited by aves17; May 16, 2018 at 12:44 pm
#393
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
Had to laugh seeing that they put the edamame hummus in the wraps too, wonder what sort of volume discount AA is getting on that stuff - I'd hope its a solid one because they have to be the worlds largest buyer at this point.
#394
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-DEN
OLD tattered LUS A319
Dinner
PDB of choice despite a 30 minute delay!
Once in the air, drink of choice and warm mixed nuts.
My pre-order choice of the chicken meatballs was acknowledged. ^
Bread came pre-plated on the tray,
Salad was good, but came with the omnipresent Olive Oil/Vinegar dressing. Some variety would be nice.
The chicken meatballs and side were, as usual, flavorful.
Cookies (choice of Snickerdoodle or Chocolate chip) followed.
Hot towel service, and multiple mints offered prior to landing.
Simply put, AA blows the competition out of the water on this route!
OLD tattered LUS A319
Dinner
PDB of choice despite a 30 minute delay!
Once in the air, drink of choice and warm mixed nuts.
My pre-order choice of the chicken meatballs was acknowledged. ^
Bread came pre-plated on the tray,
Salad was good, but came with the omnipresent Olive Oil/Vinegar dressing. Some variety would be nice.
The chicken meatballs and side were, as usual, flavorful.
Cookies (choice of Snickerdoodle or Chocolate chip) followed.
Hot towel service, and multiple mints offered prior to landing.
Simply put, AA blows the competition out of the water on this route!
#395
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: South Bend, IN
Programs: AA EXP 3 MM; Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 18,562
Don't really understand why when you order the cheese plate, you lose the appetizer. Interesting to see variety in the cheese plate, though. The one shown above ex-CLT is different from the one I had on Sunday ex-PHX. The one ex-CLT had goat cheese. The one ex-PHX had a swiss type cheese instead.
Appetizer issue notwithstanding, I found it much more filling than the normal entrees.
Appetizer issue notwithstanding, I found it much more filling than the normal entrees.
#396
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 45
ORD-DFW-RSW
May 11, 2018
AA 1348
ORD-DFW
Boeing 737-800
Lunch
This was a very decent flight with an attentive crew. Pre-departure beverages were served along with warm nuts and hot towels. Choices for lunch were the shrimp orzo salad or enchiladas. I pre-ordered the enchiladas, which were great as always! One thing I wasn’t expecting on such a short flight though was the additional corn salad ... which wasn’t served on my last flight to Dallas. I enjoyed it tho, so I hope it’s the new norm. Cookies were served for dessert.
May 11, 2018
AA 1035
DFW-RSW
Boeing 737-800
Lunch
This was a also decent flight with an attentive crew. Pre-departure beverages were served along with warm nuts and hot towels. Choices for lunch were the salad with chicken or lasagna. I pre-ordered the lasagna which was very tasty and filling! Cookies were served for dessert.
AA 1348
ORD-DFW
Boeing 737-800
Lunch
This was a very decent flight with an attentive crew. Pre-departure beverages were served along with warm nuts and hot towels. Choices for lunch were the shrimp orzo salad or enchiladas. I pre-ordered the enchiladas, which were great as always! One thing I wasn’t expecting on such a short flight though was the additional corn salad ... which wasn’t served on my last flight to Dallas. I enjoyed it tho, so I hope it’s the new norm. Cookies were served for dessert.
May 11, 2018
AA 1035
DFW-RSW
Boeing 737-800
Lunch
This was a also decent flight with an attentive crew. Pre-departure beverages were served along with warm nuts and hot towels. Choices for lunch were the salad with chicken or lasagna. I pre-ordered the lasagna which was very tasty and filling! Cookies were served for dessert.
#397
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,463
For me, I love Kaula Pork, there is a Hawaiian place here in PHX that makes it on the weekend and it's outstanding. I would go with the Pork Enchiladas.
#399
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: San Francisco area
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott T
Posts: 455
DFW-SJC F Dinner
Well AA definitely keeps going for great when it comes to AVML, the desert on the tray was a spongy lemon cake which could easily pass for a good international J item.
#400
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,161
I thought AA served ice cream on the longer midcons like DFW-west coast...? Or was the lemon cake part of the special meal?
#401
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
#402
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dallas
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 591
The pretzels from the back go well with this too (as well as with the brie in the fruit and cheese).
#404
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
Apparently, I should start preselecting the AVML...
AA 1320
BOS->ORD
B738
Service was not great, but certainly not terrible. No PDBs and no warm towel although hot nuts were offered and proactive refills. Meals were delivered via the cart, which is admittedly efficient, but I've not seen this in awhile. Preselected meal choice beef was acknowledged. Apologies in advance, even with the overhead reading light, I could not manage to get a decent shot. Honestly, I would not choose this dish again. The beef was really overcooked and had no taste. On a plus side the salad was crisp. No dessert offered, but did manage to snag a pretzel roll. Outbound service (to ORD) was much better. But, I'll take this over being diverted to DTW any day
AA 1320
BOS->ORD
B738
Service was not great, but certainly not terrible. No PDBs and no warm towel although hot nuts were offered and proactive refills. Meals were delivered via the cart, which is admittedly efficient, but I've not seen this in awhile. Preselected meal choice beef was acknowledged. Apologies in advance, even with the overhead reading light, I could not manage to get a decent shot. Honestly, I would not choose this dish again. The beef was really overcooked and had no taste. On a plus side the salad was crisp. No dessert offered, but did manage to snag a pretzel roll. Outbound service (to ORD) was much better. But, I'll take this over being diverted to DTW any day
#405
Join Date: Jul 2005
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Starwood Platinum, AA, SW, Delta
Posts: 885
I plan to fly first class from MIA to LAX. For the meals if we are still hungry can we get more than 1