Jan 1, 2018, 1:30 pm
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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
Sep 7, 2018, 6:36 pm
#766
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: NYC LAX RDU
Programs: US-Plt;Concierge key; American AAirpass; Delta Silver;Starwood - Platinum; Amex Cent
Posts: 710
LAX-KOA a few weeks ago had same feet people in the bulkhead. I was in 3A and had a woman put her naked feet on the back of my armrest between 3A&B. So disgusted I didn't eat a thing. Wish my partner had been with me - I'm too afraid of confrontation.
Sep 9, 2018, 5:32 am
#767
formerly rxfleming
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: AUH, DXB (and GLA)
Programs: BA GGL, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Plat Elite
Posts: 2,455
Can anyone please post the current drinks menu on short flights, such as JFK-DCA (alcohol and beverages)
Thanks!
Thanks!
Sep 9, 2018, 8:58 am
#768
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
Quick trip to Pittsburgh and back, and a tale of two vastly different airlines.
Outbound, garbage pmUS 321/319 combo but return on much nicer pmAA 32B/789 combo.
LAX-CLT
AA 1871
pmUS 321
September 7, 2018
12:27am-8:05am
I'd rather have done LAX-DFW-PIT but I get an extra 100 BA Tier Points by putting up with CLT. Light meal in the QF Lounge prior to schlepping over to 53B and trying to sleep on LAX-CLT.
CLT Concourse C/D Admirals Club avocado toast breakfast.
CLT-PIT
AA 690
pmUS 319
September 7, 2018
9:50am-11:19am
PIT-DFW
AA 1551
pmAA 32B
September 8, 2018
3:59pm-6:01pm
Late inbound and no PDB. In air, reasonable service from one of AA's most senior FAs. Though I was worried that she might collapse walking back and forth to the galley,
Mercifully, she used the cart for dinner service as I can't imagine her serving 16 pax manually all from the galley.
Pre-ordered short rib, which was OK although not very flavorful. Same with the twice baked potato. Salad was pretty gross.
Warm chocolate chip cookie was excellent.
DFW-LAX
AA 2360
pmAA 789
September 8, 2018
7:05pm-8:01pm
Excellent service from LAX-based crew and a 789! Now this is the way to fly domestically... lie flat 789 to LAX. Open bar PDB service and then friendly and efficient service in the air.
Same choices as PIT-DFW, short rib or chicken meatballs with polenta.
Polenta was dry and pretty tasteless, but the chicken balls were excellent, with the just right spicy kick.
Outbound, garbage pmUS 321/319 combo but return on much nicer pmAA 32B/789 combo.
LAX-CLT
AA 1871
pmUS 321
September 7, 2018
12:27am-8:05am
I'd rather have done LAX-DFW-PIT but I get an extra 100 BA Tier Points by putting up with CLT. Light meal in the QF Lounge prior to schlepping over to 53B and trying to sleep on LAX-CLT.
CLT Concourse C/D Admirals Club avocado toast breakfast.
CLT-PIT
AA 690
pmUS 319
September 7, 2018
9:50am-11:19am
PIT-DFW
AA 1551
pmAA 32B
September 8, 2018
3:59pm-6:01pm
Late inbound and no PDB. In air, reasonable service from one of AA's most senior FAs. Though I was worried that she might collapse walking back and forth to the galley,
Mercifully, she used the cart for dinner service as I can't imagine her serving 16 pax manually all from the galley.
Pre-ordered short rib, which was OK although not very flavorful. Same with the twice baked potato. Salad was pretty gross.
Warm chocolate chip cookie was excellent.
DFW-LAX
AA 2360
pmAA 789
September 8, 2018
7:05pm-8:01pm
Excellent service from LAX-based crew and a 789! Now this is the way to fly domestically... lie flat 789 to LAX. Open bar PDB service and then friendly and efficient service in the air.
Same choices as PIT-DFW, short rib or chicken meatballs with polenta.
Polenta was dry and pretty tasteless, but the chicken balls were excellent, with the just right spicy kick.
Last edited by SFO777; Sep 9, 2018 at 9:08 am
Sep 9, 2018, 9:22 am
#769
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,028
Sep 9, 2018, 9:34 am
#770
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
I immediately started salivating when I saw Salt & Pepper Squid accompanied by Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rose Champagne.
Sep 9, 2018, 4:06 pm
#771
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
At what mileage level do you get an App domestically? Surprised DFW-LGA does but DFW-LAX does not.
Sep 11, 2018, 4:59 pm
#772
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
Compass E-175
Lunch
Man was it nice to be aboard an E-175 with the comfortable F-seats and better premium-seat ratio versus the LUS A319 crAAp plane that has been on this route lately.
Pre-departure beverage of choice! ^
After takeoff, hot towels, followed by beverage of choice, and cold mixed nuts.
Much to my surprise, we were offered a meal. When this flight was flown on a mainline plane in the mid-afternoon, it was a snack-basket only service, so a definite upgrade!
Meal choices today were a grilled chicken/orzo salad or a turkey/cheese sandwich on a croissant, described in detail by the very good FA.
I chose the sandwich. It came with Lay's chips (which seemed a bit cheap), and had a very small slice of key lime pie on the tray for dessert. There was no appetizer plate, which was disappointing, though I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth.
Drink re-fills were constant from the attentive FA throughout the flight. Overall, a great flight that blows the competition (all of it on this route, IMHO) out of the water.
LAX-HNL
Dinner
Airbus A321(B)
PDB of choice! ^
Once in the air, hot towels, followed by the awesome Hawaiian nut mix and beverage of choice.
Meal choices today were either the vegetable lo main or the island surf and turf. I opted for the lo main, not trusting in AA's AAbility to properly cook beef.
On the tray were salmon rolls, and a salad with a choice of either apple cider or balsamic vinaigrette dressing. I opted for the apple cider, and thought it a welcome change from the normal AA dressing choices.
Breads from the bread basket included either sourdough, wheat, or pretzel, but disappointingly, no Hawaiian rolls. Still, pretzel rolls are tough to beat.
Dessert followed - a made to order sundae. Disappointingly, no drink service was offered with dessert, and really not again during the flight.
Dasani water bottles were distributed after the meal.
It looks like a snack basket may have been passed about 90 minutes prior to landing, but I was asleep thanks to AA's awesome Casper pillows and blankets. No drink service was proactively offered prior to landing.
Compass E-175
Lunch
Man was it nice to be aboard an E-175 with the comfortable F-seats and better premium-seat ratio versus the LUS A319 crAAp plane that has been on this route lately.
Pre-departure beverage of choice! ^
After takeoff, hot towels, followed by beverage of choice, and cold mixed nuts.
Much to my surprise, we were offered a meal. When this flight was flown on a mainline plane in the mid-afternoon, it was a snack-basket only service, so a definite upgrade!
Meal choices today were a grilled chicken/orzo salad or a turkey/cheese sandwich on a croissant, described in detail by the very good FA.
I chose the sandwich. It came with Lay's chips (which seemed a bit cheap), and had a very small slice of key lime pie on the tray for dessert. There was no appetizer plate, which was disappointing, though I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth.
Drink re-fills were constant from the attentive FA throughout the flight. Overall, a great flight that blows the competition (all of it on this route, IMHO) out of the water.
LAX-HNL
Dinner
Airbus A321(B)
PDB of choice! ^
Once in the air, hot towels, followed by the awesome Hawaiian nut mix and beverage of choice.
Meal choices today were either the vegetable lo main or the island surf and turf. I opted for the lo main, not trusting in AA's AAbility to properly cook beef.
On the tray were salmon rolls, and a salad with a choice of either apple cider or balsamic vinaigrette dressing. I opted for the apple cider, and thought it a welcome change from the normal AA dressing choices.
Breads from the bread basket included either sourdough, wheat, or pretzel, but disappointingly, no Hawaiian rolls. Still, pretzel rolls are tough to beat.
Dessert followed - a made to order sundae. Disappointingly, no drink service was offered with dessert, and really not again during the flight.
Dasani water bottles were distributed after the meal.
It looks like a snack basket may have been passed about 90 minutes prior to landing, but I was asleep thanks to AA's awesome Casper pillows and blankets. No drink service was proactively offered prior to landing.
Last edited by UAPremierGuy; Sep 12, 2018 at 12:19 am
Sep 12, 2018, 8:43 am
#773
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Empire State
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum; Marriott Platinum
Posts: 461
Flying LAX-JFK next month in F, and for the first time in years, a new lunch menu appeared; all actually sound great to me. Will report back.
- Beef Filet
sweet potato gratin, grilled asparagus, baby carrot - Sumac Chicken
couscous, quinoa, lentils, baby heirloom tomato and cucumber salad - Grilled Vegetable Terrine
Yukon Gold potato, grilled zucchini, grilled squash, red bell pepper, fennel, red Swiss chard, grilled eggplant, Parmesan cheese, baby arugula - Grain and Greens Bowl
red and white quinoa, baby kale, napa cabbage, roasted butternut squash, red and yellow tomatoes, mesclun mix, roasted walnuts, Parmesan cheese, hot smoked salmon available upon request
Sep 12, 2018, 9:06 am
#774
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
HNL-LAX
LAA A321
Snack
NO PDB
Once in the air, service (eventually) started with a beverage of choice and COLD Hawaiian nut mix.
At least I was served a double!
Snack on this flight consisted of either the cheese plate or the veggie dip. I opted for the cheese flight, having had bad experiences with the veggie dip plate in the past. The cheese plate was...small, with green and red grapes, and crackers and 2 types of cheese as well as a chocolate bar on the tray.
Water bottles were distributed before takeoff.
Overall, service on this flight left a lot to be desired by this flight attendant who at the end of the flight when the jet bridge pulled up to the aircraft remarked "everybody off." You bet.
LAA A321
Snack
NO PDB
Once in the air, service (eventually) started with a beverage of choice and COLD Hawaiian nut mix.
At least I was served a double!Snack on this flight consisted of either the cheese plate or the veggie dip. I opted for the cheese flight, having had bad experiences with the veggie dip plate in the past. The cheese plate was...small, with green and red grapes, and crackers and 2 types of cheese as well as a chocolate bar on the tray.
Water bottles were distributed before takeoff.
Overall, service on this flight left a lot to be desired by this flight attendant who at the end of the flight when the jet bridge pulled up to the aircraft remarked "everybody off." You bet.
Sep 12, 2018, 11:10 am
#775
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,028
HNL-LAX
LAA A321
Snack
NO PDB
Once in the air, service (eventually) started with a beverage of choice and COLD Hawaiian nut mix. At least I was served a double!
Snack on this flight consisted of either the cheese plate or the veggie dip. I opted for the cheese flight, having had bad experiences with the veggie dip plate in the past. The cheese plate was...small, with green and red grapes, and crackers and 2 types of cheese as well as a chocolate bar on the tray.
Water bottles were distributed before takeoff.
Overall, service on this flight left a lot to be desired by this flight attendant who at the end of the flight when the jet bridge pulled up to the aircraft remarked "everybody off." You bet.
LAA A321
Snack
NO PDB
Once in the air, service (eventually) started with a beverage of choice and COLD Hawaiian nut mix.
At least I was served a double!Snack on this flight consisted of either the cheese plate or the veggie dip. I opted for the cheese flight, having had bad experiences with the veggie dip plate in the past. The cheese plate was...small, with green and red grapes, and crackers and 2 types of cheese as well as a chocolate bar on the tray.
Water bottles were distributed before takeoff.
Overall, service on this flight left a lot to be desired by this flight attendant who at the end of the flight when the jet bridge pulled up to the aircraft remarked "everybody off." You bet.
"Snack" for Honolulu to Los Angeles? is this coach? It can't be F. AA offers hot meals on flights in F half the distance. What am I missing here? Is AA purposely trying to not to be competitive on this route?
Sep 12, 2018, 11:18 am
#776
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,740
Most HNL-Mainland flights are redeyes, which on most routes get no meals at all.
Sep 12, 2018, 1:00 pm
#777
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
Compass E175
Breakfast
PDB of choice! ^
Once in the air, hot towels, followed by the meal and beverage of choice all served at once. I forgot what the other choice was, but I opted for the salmon bagel.
As pictured, the salmon was a fillet, not smoked salmon as one would expect at breakfast. The accompaniments were good and presented well. The fruit plate featured a nice, welcomed variety of fruit. There was also a cinnamon roll on the tray.
Overall, again a service that blows the competition out of the water (cough, cough especially DL) on this route.
Compass E175
Breakfast
PDB of choice! ^
Once in the air, hot towels, followed by the meal and beverage of choice all served at once. I forgot what the other choice was, but I opted for the salmon bagel.
As pictured, the salmon was a fillet, not smoked salmon as one would expect at breakfast. The accompaniments were good and presented well. The fruit plate featured a nice, welcomed variety of fruit. There was also a cinnamon roll on the tray.
Overall, again a service that blows the competition out of the water (cough, cough especially DL) on this route.
Sep 12, 2018, 4:37 pm
#778
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 55
F dinner menu on 9/18 JFK>LAX
Grilled Beef Filet - With shiitake mushroom sauce, roasted fingerling potatoes and blistered cherry tomatoes
Pan Roasted Huckleberry Chicken - Free-range, organic bone-in chicken breast with huckleberry barbecue sauce and organic quinoa with kale
Thai Curry Shrimp - With mushroom risotto and sautéed spinach with garlic
Zucchini 'Meatballs' - zucchini Parmesan pesto spaghetti, tomato jam
Didn't see the fruit and cheese plate as an option.
Our party has selected one Beef, one AVML and two Children's meals for the 5 yr olds. We hope to visit the FFD room pre-departure too.
Pan Roasted Huckleberry Chicken - Free-range, organic bone-in chicken breast with huckleberry barbecue sauce and organic quinoa with kale
Thai Curry Shrimp - With mushroom risotto and sautéed spinach with garlic
Zucchini 'Meatballs' - zucchini Parmesan pesto spaghetti, tomato jam
Didn't see the fruit and cheese plate as an option.
Our party has selected one Beef, one AVML and two Children's meals for the 5 yr olds. We hope to visit the FFD room pre-departure too.
Sep 13, 2018, 10:58 am
#779
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP, SPG / Marriott GLD, HHonors GLD
Posts: 520
Grilled Beef Filet - With shiitake mushroom sauce, roasted fingerling potatoes and blistered cherry tomatoes
Pan Roasted Huckleberry Chicken - Free-range, organic bone-in chicken breast with huckleberry barbecue sauce and organic quinoa with kale
Thai Curry Shrimp - With mushroom risotto and sautéed spinach with garlic
Zucchini 'Meatballs' - zucchini Parmesan pesto spaghetti, tomato jam
Didn't see the fruit and cheese plate as an option.
Our party has selected one Beef, one AVML and two Children's meals for the 5 yr olds. We hope to visit the FFD room pre-departure too.
Pan Roasted Huckleberry Chicken - Free-range, organic bone-in chicken breast with huckleberry barbecue sauce and organic quinoa with kale
Thai Curry Shrimp - With mushroom risotto and sautéed spinach with garlic
Zucchini 'Meatballs' - zucchini Parmesan pesto spaghetti, tomato jam
Didn't see the fruit and cheese plate as an option.
Our party has selected one Beef, one AVML and two Children's meals for the 5 yr olds. We hope to visit the FFD room pre-departure too.
Sep 13, 2018, 7:49 pm
#780
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 55
Thanks. I was surprised my wife didn't chose that interesting combo and went with the beef. Maybe I can change her mind with your post.