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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
#481
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: USA
Programs: AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 652
Well, no surprises AA7 DFW-OGG.
Cheese Lasagna - pomodoro tomato sauce, grilled vegtables.
Shrimp with Red Panang Curry - with bamboo rice
Macadamia Crusted Chicken - coconut sauce, soba noodles, sugar snap peas
Spicy Asian Vegetarian, Baby Food, and Bland meal also offered now.
The Macnut Chicken with slight side dish variations has been rotated on the Hawaii menus for years and years. Remember having it in 2005 the first time we flew AA FC from DFW to HNL. 767-300, the old recliner sleeper seats. 60" pitch. Overhead screens. Thought we were in heaven after years sitting in back. Memories.
We're going with Macnut this time. Had the Shrimp last trip to HNL. It was ok. And of course, the Lasagna on mid-con flights.
Cheese Lasagna - pomodoro tomato sauce, grilled vegtables.
Shrimp with Red Panang Curry - with bamboo rice
Macadamia Crusted Chicken - coconut sauce, soba noodles, sugar snap peas
Spicy Asian Vegetarian, Baby Food, and Bland meal also offered now.
The Macnut Chicken with slight side dish variations has been rotated on the Hawaii menus for years and years. Remember having it in 2005 the first time we flew AA FC from DFW to HNL. 767-300, the old recliner sleeper seats. 60" pitch. Overhead screens. Thought we were in heaven after years sitting in back. Memories.
We're going with Macnut this time. Had the Shrimp last trip to HNL. It was ok. And of course, the Lasagna on mid-con flights.
#482
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, TK Elite, HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 7,691
PHL - LAX economy class
Cheese plate (no charge due to OWE status). Very tasty!
#483
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,816
DUPE. ...delete pse
#484
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
JFK-LAX
A321T
Breakfast
PDB - not sure since I was pulled up at the last minute
The return of the worst menu out there return with the cream cheese omelette, galette etc. I was so revolted by the omelette last time I went with the Galette and did't even touch that part and just ate the biscuit, fruit and chicken sausage.
When did they bring back the pre-meal biscotti? I haven't seen this on a transcon breakfast flight in over a year:
Galette (what is the point of the lone strawberry in the plastic cup?)
A321T
Breakfast
PDB - not sure since I was pulled up at the last minute
The return of the worst menu out there return with the cream cheese omelette, galette etc. I was so revolted by the omelette last time I went with the Galette and did't even touch that part and just ate the biscuit, fruit and chicken sausage.
When did they bring back the pre-meal biscotti? I haven't seen this on a transcon breakfast flight in over a year:
Galette (what is the point of the lone strawberry in the plastic cup?)
#485
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
AANYC1981, you were brave, indeed, eating that biscuit. "Glob" of flour/water/salt, and tastes like Playdough.
I wish AA had cinnamon rolls like United.
I wish AA had cinnamon rolls like United.
#486
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,033
Was just offered a "nissa salad or a pepper" for lunch. I asked what the pepper was: "It's a poblano pepper" with an annoyed look that I'd ask for more information. Umm, I guess I'll go for the pepper? People behind me were later heard asking if he offered them a "Nissan salad". I'm guessing he was offering a Vietnamese salad, but neither option sounded remotely appealing from his descriptions.
#487
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Was just offered a "nissa salad or a pepper" for lunch. I asked what the pepper was: "It's a poblano pepper" with an annoyed look that I'd ask for more information. Umm, I guess I'll go for the pepper? People behind me were later heard asking if he offered them a "Nissan salad". I'm guessing he was offering a Vietnamese salad, but neither option sounded remotely appealing from his descriptions.
#488
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,741
Was just offered a "nissa salad or a pepper" for lunch. I asked what the pepper was: "It's a poblano pepper" with an annoyed look that I'd ask for more information. Umm, I guess I'll go for the pepper? People behind me were later heard asking if he offered them a "Nissan salad". I'm guessing he was offering a Vietnamese salad, but neither option sounded remotely appealing from his descriptions.
#489
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
The "nicoise" or nee-swaz salad, meaning of the French city of Nice, I'm guessing? LOL
IMO, both the "nissan" salad and the poblano are pretty solid choices.
IMO, both the "nissan" salad and the poblano are pretty solid choices.
#490
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
Was just offered a "nissa salad or a pepper" for lunch. I asked what the pepper was: "It's a poblano pepper" with an annoyed look that I'd ask for more information. Umm, I guess I'll go for the pepper? People behind me were later heard asking if he offered them a "Nissan salad". I'm guessing he was offering a Vietnamese salad, but neither option sounded remotely appealing from his descriptions.
#491
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
LAX-JFK
LAA A321T
Dinner
Business Class
PDB of bubbles, water, OJ. Bubbles were served in the normal AA plastic cups so the pours were pretty generous
Starter (really like the creamy Asian dressing for the salad)
Beef (was pretty good too)
Service was also very attentive and friendly! Too bad we were delayed 3 hours due to MX.....Biz went out with a good amount of empty seats and I think FC was literally all non-revs.
Once onboard, some people's power outlets didn't work and some PTVs didn't work or respond at all......made for some frustrated people and the FA never issued miles to anyone in Biz. The streaming entertainment via ViaSat also didn't work again. I notified AA Twitter about all of this (not asking for anything) and they issued miles, but only for the MX delay. Gave me a link to follow up with ViaSat as this is the 2nd time in a week the streaming entertainment via WiFi didn't work.
LAA A321T
Dinner
Business Class
PDB of bubbles, water, OJ. Bubbles were served in the normal AA plastic cups so the pours were pretty generous
Starter (really like the creamy Asian dressing for the salad)
Beef (was pretty good too)
Service was also very attentive and friendly! Too bad we were delayed 3 hours due to MX.....Biz went out with a good amount of empty seats and I think FC was literally all non-revs.
Once onboard, some people's power outlets didn't work and some PTVs didn't work or respond at all......made for some frustrated people and the FA never issued miles to anyone in Biz. The streaming entertainment via ViaSat also didn't work again. I notified AA Twitter about all of this (not asking for anything) and they issued miles, but only for the MX delay. Gave me a link to follow up with ViaSat as this is the 2nd time in a week the streaming entertainment via WiFi didn't work.
Last edited by AANYC1981; Jun 12, 2018 at 2:49 pm
#492
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum; HHonors Diamond;Emerald Club Executive Elite
Posts: 285
I like the cheese plate, but why so stingy with the fruit? Usually get just 4 or 5 grapes.
#493
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,033
MCO-LAX
#494
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, TK Elite, HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 7,691
OGG - DFW Dinner first class
Small plate - Barbecue Shrimp, seasoned Japanese noodles
Salad - Baby Red Oak Lettuce and Spinach
Main plates
Korean Barbecue Beef, herb roasted potatoes, broccolini
Sesame Chicken, stir fried noodles, bok choy
Salad - Baby Red Oak Lettuce and Spinach
Main plates
Korean Barbecue Beef, herb roasted potatoes, broccolini
Sesame Chicken, stir fried noodles, bok choy