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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
#526
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,212
Wow, the pepper dish is one of my favorites! It's actually quite tasty ... assuming you like peppers and spice.
#527
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 361
Had the same preorder issues for my flight out of ORD, only saw F&C and the pepper but was offered a choice of the pepper or chicken meatballs on board.
#528
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
I've got an ORD-SEA coming up tomorrow evening that is only giving me a pre-order choice between the vile, disgusting Poblano Peppers dish and the cheese plate.
There should be another entree choice. Is this a glitch in the pre-order system?
Don't want to be stuck with the horrible peppers - but don't particularly want the cheese plate either.
There should be another entree choice. Is this a glitch in the pre-order system?
Don't want to be stuck with the horrible peppers - but don't particularly want the cheese plate either.
Last edited by bse118; Jun 26, 2018 at 9:54 am Reason: typo
#529
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,440
KOA-LAX - The menu was not what the flight attendant expected. She thought it would be a pork chop or polenta. Turned out it was a Short Rib or Risotto (which she said was actually much better.)
I had the Short Rib, with nice sweet (but not overly sweet) sauce. The beef tasted a lot better than it looks in the picture. The salad was (after the photo was taken) accompanied with a pineapple salad dressing that was really nice. I like that AA makes an effort to put a Hawaiian twists on meals from Hawaii. Dessert was a sundae including a choice of toppings including chocolate covered macadamias.
I had the Short Rib, with nice sweet (but not overly sweet) sauce. The beef tasted a lot better than it looks in the picture. The salad was (after the photo was taken) accompanied with a pineapple salad dressing that was really nice. I like that AA makes an effort to put a Hawaiian twists on meals from Hawaii. Dessert was a sundae including a choice of toppings including chocolate covered macadamias.
#530
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
#531
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,440
Mac Nut Chicken
DFW-KOA 777
Macadamia Crusted Chicken
Coconut sauce, soba noodles, sugar snap peas.
Agree with previous posters that this is one of the best AA domestic meals. Very tasty. Tastes much better than it looks.
Salad and edamame dip
Macadamia Crusted Chicken Coconut sauce, soba noodles, sugar snap peas.
Sundae with chocolate covered macadamias, pineapple coconut sauce, and hot fudge
Pre-arrival snack of hummus with crackers
Macadamia Crusted Chicken
Coconut sauce, soba noodles, sugar snap peas.
Agree with previous posters that this is one of the best AA domestic meals. Very tasty. Tastes much better than it looks.
Salad and edamame dip
Macadamia Crusted Chicken Coconut sauce, soba noodles, sugar snap peas.
Sundae with chocolate covered macadamias, pineapple coconut sauce, and hot fudge
Pre-arrival snack of hummus with crackers
#532
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
Did the hummus arrive with that lonely single carrot?
#533
#534
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
You are yanking my chain.
What are you supposed to do with it? Spread it on your hand? Mix it into a bloody mary?
I've yet to see an airline that has perfected being fantastic in some areas, and totally clueless in others. It's a root vegetable......c'mon.
What are you supposed to do with it? Spread it on your hand? Mix it into a bloody mary?
I've yet to see an airline that has perfected being fantastic in some areas, and totally clueless in others. It's a root vegetable......c'mon.
#535
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 579
The carrot, when present, was only ever intended to be a functional garnish on this presentation -- not the primary dipper. That's why there was only one (on the refreshment tray, at least). The packet of flatbread crisps is what you're intended to eat most of the hummus with. @:-)
#536
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
The carrot, when present, was only ever intended to be a functional garnish on this presentation -- not the primary dipper. That's why there was only one (on the refreshment tray, at least). The packet of flatbread crisps is what you're intended to eat most of the hummus with. @:-)
#537
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 579
At least they do have the excuse to fall back on that pita and flatbread are the more customary accompaniments. That would be the first time in a while AA took the traditional route with the food in a while though.
#538
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
I fly DL not infrequently and on routes (distance/time) where AA serves the hummus plate as a snack, DL serves the snack box. For an option in between beverages and a full meal, I'll take AA's hummus plate any day as a light snack. And if you really want more carrots for dipping or other veggies, go to the Admirals Club, grab a paper soup bowl, and put some carrots and veggies in there; problem solved.
#539
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
The hummus plate is a nice and much appreciated alternative to the snack box...
I fly DL not infrequently and on routes (distance/time) where AA serves the hummus plate as a snack, DL serves the snack box. For an option in between beverages and a full meal, I'll take AA's hummus plate any day as a light snack. And if you really want more carrots for dipping or other veggies, go to the Admirals Club, grab a paper soup bowl, and put some carrots and veggies in there; problem solved.
I fly DL not infrequently and on routes (distance/time) where AA serves the hummus plate as a snack, DL serves the snack box. For an option in between beverages and a full meal, I'll take AA's hummus plate any day as a light snack. And if you really want more carrots for dipping or other veggies, go to the Admirals Club, grab a paper soup bowl, and put some carrots and veggies in there; problem solved.
#540
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UA 1K & 1MM/AA Gold & 1MM/HH Gold/Marriott Titanium
Posts: 2,924
Any suggestions?
Lunch on DCA-DFW
Breakfast on DFW-DCA
Lunch on DCA-DFW
- Ricotta rotolo - with spinach, Parmigiano-Reggiano, mozzarella, basil and marinara sauce
- Vietnamese salad - with Asian-inspired shiitake mushroom slaw, cabbage and carrots over rice noodles and a side of teriyaki chicken
Breakfast on DFW-DCA
- Steel cut oatmeal - brown sugar, various fruit garnishes
- Montamoré Cheese Omelette - with kale pesto, paprika potatoes and Italian chicken sausage