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ARCHIVE: 2018 AA Domestic Meal / Meals - menu / photos / etc. (master thread)

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Old Jan 1, 2018, 1:30 pm
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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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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.
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ARCHIVE: 2018 AA Domestic Meal / Meals - menu / photos / etc. (master thread)

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Old Jul 22, 2018, 12:25 am
  #601  
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
Originally Posted by FlightNurse
I thought UA had brought back meals after people complained.
I think they did, perhaps not completely but somewhat. That said after not stepping foot on a UA plane for a couple years due to schedule and routing I ended up on a UA flight pre-snack issue a couple months ago and have to say it was small, the salad meal looked more substantial than the hot meal.
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Old Jul 22, 2018, 8:41 am
  #602  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 57
Originally Posted by ryan182
I think they did, perhaps not completely but somewhat. That said after not stepping foot on a UA plane for a couple years due to schedule and routing I ended up on a UA flight pre-snack issue a couple months ago and have to say it was small, the salad meal looked more substantial than the hot meal.
Correct, they restored cuts made in May however it's still a downgrade from what we saw a few years ago plus even with the restoration, they aren't as competitive onboard with AA. A lot of FTers on the boards showing inconsistencies with catering over at UA - not a surprise.

Last edited by excon2007; Jul 22, 2018 at 8:52 am
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Old Jul 22, 2018, 8:58 am
  #603  
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,620
Originally Posted by excon2007
Correct, they restored cuts made in May however it's still a downgrade from what we saw a few years ago plus even with the restoration, they aren't as competitive onboard with AA. A lot of FTers on the boards showing inconsistencies with catering over at UA - not a surprise.
The restored the I believe the May cuts, but many routes like EWR to Florida are still being snacked.
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Old Jul 22, 2018, 11:12 am
  #604  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 57
Originally Posted by kmersh
The restored the I believe the May cuts, but many routes like EWR to Florida are still being snacked.
UA is being Kirby’d. They are facing too much negative pricing pressure in EWR-Florida markets from Spirit and Allegiant so you’ll never see full meals restored most likely as long as he’s looking at the flight profitability reports. Meanwhile over at JFK and LGA AA and DL are providing full meal service on those routes...they realize customers will pay a premium if the product is premium.
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Old Jul 22, 2018, 11:46 am
  #605  
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Originally Posted by excon2007


UA is being Kirby’d. They are facing too much negative pricing pressure in EWR-Florida markets from Spirit and Allegiant so you’ll never see full meals restored most likely as long as he’s looking at the flight profitability reports. Meanwhile over at JFK and LGA AA and DL are providing full meal service on those routes...they realize customers will pay a premium if the product is premium.
I just had full meals on AA and DL and both flights were timed at hours where you might find a snack instead - 3pm departures - DL had really good sliders with a side that was quite large - can't remember - except there was also a dancing bear cookie - and the sliders were of good size - two or three of em. AA had stuffed peppers - quite good and fresh baked cookie, small side salad - mid-Con type dinner. I remember when PMCO had the best F meals of the domestic airlines - back in the Gordy/Larry tenure before SMIJ.
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Old Jul 22, 2018, 1:12 pm
  #606  
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,418
Let’s please stay on topic; this thread is for the discussion of AA meals. Thanks! /Moderator
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Old Jul 22, 2018, 8:07 pm
  #607  
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: NYC/BOS
Programs: AA Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 54
7/9/2018
AA 65
JFK-LAS
737-800
Dinner


Excellent crew. Full PDB offered- 2 rounds actually! Warm nuts with drinks delivered, refill on nuts was also offered. Choice of the beef filet or lasagna. Beef filet was good, cooked perfectly. Made to order sundae for desert and pre-arrival snack basket. Excellent crew- refills proactively offered, trays collected quickly.






7/16/2018
AA 2455 (redeye)
LAX-BOS
A321S
Refreshments


Full PDB offered. After takeoff drink and snack orders were taken. Choice of the fruit/cheese plate or hummus. Trays came with warmed nuts on them. FA was very attentive during this red eye, actively offering refills. About 1 hour prior to landing, breakfast snack plate was offered. Contained yogurt with blueberries and a oatmeal muffin cookie. Hard to sleep with recliner seats, but the full Casper bedding set was nice to have for the flight.



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Old Jul 23, 2018, 12:41 pm
  #608  
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 7
My return menus from HNL to ORD are:

#8 HNL-DFW :

Sweet Potato Ravioli: Shitake Mushroom cream sauce.
Korean Barbecue Beef: Herb Roasted Potatoes.
Sesame Chicken: Stir Fried Noodles and Bok Choi.

#1135 DFW-ORD
Split Buttermilk Biscuit: Topped with scrambled eggs, and chicken chorizo gravy.
Continental Fruit Plate: Granola and Vanilla Greek Yogurt.

What are your opinions on any of these?
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Old Jul 23, 2018, 1:20 pm
  #609  
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: NYC/BOS
Programs: AA Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 54
American Eagle Refreshments

Does anyone know what the "refreshments" are for American Eagle flights? The specific route is DCA-SRQ, 8:40am departure and SRQ-DCA, 11:50am, both operated by Republic on a E175. Flight is about 850 miles. Thanks in advance.
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Old Jul 23, 2018, 2:03 pm
  #610  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
Regarding the meal service for AA 1021 (ORD to BOS), which was about two hours delayed last night, FA did a modified "Refreshments" service with drinks and warmed nuts followed by a warmed cookie (chocolate or snickerdoodle). The flight didn't end up leaving ORD until about 22:30, so perfectly understandable.

I mention this only because the WIKI has ORD to BOS as an exception market for meal service, but AA 1021 (20:21 departure) and the later flight departing at 22:05 are both now "Refreshments" flights.
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Old Jul 23, 2018, 2:15 pm
  #611  
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP, SPG / Marriott GLD, HHonors GLD
Posts: 520
Originally Posted by CHOPCHOP767
Regarding the meal service for AA 1021 (ORD to BOS), which was about two hours delayed last night, FA did a modified "Refreshments" service with drinks and warmed nuts followed by a warmed cookie (chocolate or snickerdoodle). The flight didn't end up leaving ORD until about 22:30, so perfectly understandable.

I mention this only because the WIKI has ORD to BOS as an exception market for meal service, but AA 1021 (20:21 departure) and the later flight departing at 22:05 are both now "Refreshments" flights.
Exception markets refer to offering meals at standard times (ie before 8pm) for flights below the typical distance threshold for meals; not that a meal is always offered regardless of times. The only time meals are offered after 8pm are departures exceeding 2,200 miles or the premium transcons - ie CLT-SFO or MIA-SFO flights at 8:30p and 9:50p, respectively, offer dinner. But CLT-LAX post 8pm departure only offers refreshments as do any other flight departing after 8pm that isn't a premium transcon or isn't at least 2,220 miles in covered distance.
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Old Jul 23, 2018, 6:16 pm
  #612  
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Denver
Programs: AS, AA, UA, Hilton, Marriott, Caesars DE
Posts: 2,070
7/22/2018
AA 2447
7:25PM Scheduled Dep
JFK-DEN
Dinner


Well, JFK had a crazy storm roll through right as we departed. So PDB were normally offered, then water and biscoff were passed out as the delay was rolling into 3 hours. ...... weather, but what can you do.

Choice of Chile Rellenos (Vegi) and Chicken Meatballs with Polenta. Chose meatballs, and by the time we got in the air I was too hungry to really care what I was eating. Side salad was weird, since it was spinach, tangerines, pomegranates and feta. Not that I don't like any of those ingredients, just a weird side salad to have. Side was a corn, cojita, tomato and pepper (spicy) which I liked and did have a little kick. Meatballs were good, big chicken fan myself, with a marinara sauce, and a side of creamy polenta with parmesan. Bread served out of bread basket. Ice cream for dessert. Overall good meal, then again was very hungry by 12:30 AM when we ate.


Last edited by safari ari; Jul 24, 2018 at 12:03 pm
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Old Jul 23, 2018, 9:21 pm
  #613  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
Originally Posted by TSiGirl
My return menus from HNL to ORD are:

#8 HNL-DFW :

Sweet Potato Ravioli: Shitake Mushroom cream sauce.
Korean Barbecue Beef: Herb Roasted Potatoes.
Sesame Chicken: Stir Fried Noodles and Bok Choi.

#1135 DFW-ORD
Split Buttermilk Biscuit: Topped with scrambled eggs, and chicken chorizo gravy.
Continental Fruit Plate: Granola and Vanilla Greek Yogurt.

What are your opinions on any of these?
Over the water: Beef.

Into the Heartland: Fruit Plate. The biscuits......
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jcatman is offline  
Old Jul 24, 2018, 11:53 am
  #614  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 45
Originally Posted by TSiGirl
My return menus from HNL to ORD are:

#8 HNL-DFW :

Sweet Potato Ravioli: Shitake Mushroom cream sauce.
Korean Barbecue Beef: Herb Roasted Potatoes.
Sesame Chicken: Stir Fried Noodles and Bok Choi.

#1135 DFW-ORD
Split Buttermilk Biscuit: Topped with scrambled eggs, and chicken chorizo gravy.
Continental Fruit Plate: Granola and Vanilla Greek Yogurt.

What are your opinions on any of these?
Nice they are offering three choices. It was two for most of the last 17 years.
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Old Jul 24, 2018, 1:42 pm
  #615  
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 579
Originally Posted by jcatman
Into the Heartland: Fruit Plate. The biscuits......
Different strokes for different folks... The scrambled egg biscuit and gravy is one of my favorite AA entrees. Of course it's not the best rendition I've ever had, but it's far from the worst, especially considering the handling/holding/heating.
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