Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > American Airlines | AAdvantage
Reload this Page >

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

Community
Wiki Posts
Search
Old Jan 1, 2018, 1:30 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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.
Print Wikipost

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

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 29, 2018, 1:49 pm
  #76  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New Orleans (MSY)
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PLT, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Amtrak, WN
Posts: 2,617
Originally Posted by amanx
But what will i get from my post 66?

Or is this the wrong forum?
Originally Posted by amanx
Hi,

I am flying a one stop BA ticket LHR to RSW with an AA flight PHL- RSW. Leaves at 8:24 pm. Flying 1st, 2c.

Will i get dinner, a snack plate or drink nuts and cookie?

I need to know if I have to eat in the PHL terminal. Flight gets in near 11:30pm and will have to hit the road for a 1 hr 20 min drive. No shops open that late to grab a snack.
Can't say from experience, but it unfortunately sounds like you won't get a meal on this flight. I think all you'll get is hot nuts, some drinks, and a cookie. AA.com shows "Refreshments" for this flight, which usually means nuts and a cookie. I would eat at PHL.
brewdog11 is offline  
Old Jan 29, 2018, 2:10 pm
  #77  
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: BA, SW, IAG
Posts: 143
thanks.

My flight was changed, was scheduled on a dinner service that left around 6pm.
amanx is offline  
Old Jan 29, 2018, 2:54 pm
  #78  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: BUR
Programs: in C/C++, Python, SQL
Posts: 342
HI...I have a 7am DFW-IND flight coming up later this week. It's listed as "refreshments" (and according to the wiki it's too short for a real breakfast, so I guess that makes sense). I'm assuming, though, it's not the nuts-and-cookie described above. Just curious what I should expect for breakfast refreshments. Thanks...
Scott in LA is online now  
Old Jan 30, 2018, 10:15 am
  #79  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Boston
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 12
1/24 AA1148 BOS-LAX (breakfast) No PDB, we were running late. Cabin crew seemed unenthused, did the minimum required. Pre-ordered my breakfast - eggs. Pretty dry, fruit was nice and fresh.
1/24 AA6013 LAX-SFO. Pleasant cabin crew. PDB. Lots of beverage refills and snack basket.
1/29 AA878 LAX-PHL (breakfast). PDB. Breakast wasn't too bad. Scrambled eggs on biscuit with sausage gravy, fresh fruit
1/29 AA1726 PHL-BOS Very pleasant cabin crew. PDB. Very bumpy flight, no beverage service which I can see why!
hardyden is offline  
Old Jan 30, 2018, 10:55 am
  #80  
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: Delta Diamond, HH Diamond, Avis PC, Bonvoy Plat, National EE
Posts: 163
Originally Posted by Scott in LA
HI...I have a 7am DFW-IND flight coming up later this week. It's listed as "refreshments" (and according to the wiki it's too short for a real breakfast, so I guess that makes sense). I'm assuming, though, it's not the nuts-and-cookie described above. Just curious what I should expect for breakfast refreshments. Thanks...
I recall a yogurt tray on a DFW-ATL morning flight late last year. The distance is essentially the same (732 to ATL ... 761 to IND)
CO777ER is offline  
Old Jan 30, 2018, 9:29 pm
  #81  
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: INT/GSO/CLT/RDU
Programs: AA EXP 1MM; HH Gold; Bonvoy Gold; Wynd Diamond
Posts: 228
Any Comments/Suggestions?

Breakfast meals

  • Steel Cut Oatmeal Steel Cut Oatmeal selected for ______ for CLT to PHX
    brown sugar, various fruit garnishes
  • Montamoré Cheese Omelette Montamoré Cheese Omelette selected for ______ for CLT to PHX
    with kale pesto, paprika potatoes and Italian chicken sausage
ptsailor is offline  
Old Jan 31, 2018, 2:09 pm
  #82  
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Empire State
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum; Marriott Platinum
Posts: 461
Don't believe this has been posted elsewhere - The Forward Cabin is reporting that AA is testing buy-on-board pre-orders in Y in a handful of markets:

American Will Begin Offering Pre-Ordered Food in Main Cabin This February | The Forward Cabin

And sure enough, I just checked my upcoming LGA-DFW (upgrade hasn't cleared), and I have the following options:
  • Fruit and Cheese Plate - $8.99 (pay onboard)
    with Cheddar, Muenster, dill Havarti, Brie, grapes and a strawberry
  • Smoked Turkey Breakfast Sandwich - $8.79 (pay onboard)
    with Swiss cheese on a croissant
  • Continental Breakfast Bag - $4.99 (pay onboard)
    with a plain bagel, cream cheese, fruit preserves, granola bar and a banana
AANYC1981 likes this.
AAEmpireState is offline  
Old Jan 31, 2018, 4:35 pm
  #83  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
IHG Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
Originally Posted by AAEmpireState
Don't believe this has been posted elsewhere - The Forward Cabin is reporting that AA is testing buy-on-board pre-orders in Y in a handful of markets:

American Will Begin Offering Pre-Ordered Food in Main Cabin This February The Forward Cabin

And sure enough, I just checked my upcoming LGA-DFW (upgrade hasn't cleared), and I have the following options:
  • Fruit and Cheese Plate - $8.99 (pay onboard)
    with Cheddar, Muenster, dill Havarti, Brie, grapes and a strawberry
  • Smoked Turkey Breakfast Sandwich - $8.79 (pay onboard)
    with Swiss cheese on a croissant
  • Continental Breakfast Bag - $4.99 (pay onboard)
    with a plain bagel, cream cheese, fruit preserves, granola bar and a banana
What is the obsession with Bananas? Not everyone like them.. But this is step forward.
FlightNurse is offline  
Old Jan 31, 2018, 9:58 pm
  #84  
Hilton Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,440
I have IAD-LAX-PVR coming up. I ordered the Hindu meal for the IAD-LAX sector and there was no pre-order LAX-PVR, presumably due to the ongoing catering issues there. I did check the box for "would you like the Hindu meal for all eligible flights" so I'll be interested to see if I get that also LAX-PVR.
chrisny2 is offline  
Old Feb 1, 2018, 7:35 am
  #85  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: San Francisco area
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott T
Posts: 455
JFK-SFO, C

For both the Flagship lounge buffet and onboard meal, the items were exactly same as my last trip back in November but the quality and taste was much better, got a fresh batch maybe, a glass of Tattinger helps also.


bdhaliwa is offline  
Old Feb 1, 2018, 8:12 am
  #86  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,487
Originally Posted by chrisny2
I have IAD-LAX-PVR coming up. I ordered the Hindu meal for the IAD-LAX sector and there was no pre-order LAX-PVR, presumably due to the ongoing catering issues there. I did check the box for "would you like the Hindu meal for all eligible flights" so I'll be interested to see if I get that also LAX-PVR.
The wife and I are trying the Hindu meals on a dinner flight, JFK-MCO tomorrow. Depending upon what we think we might switch out to special meals on the way back on Sunday night. Shall report back accordingly.
chrisny2 likes this.
Fraser is offline  
Old Feb 2, 2018, 9:57 am
  #87  
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 812
Any suggestions on the below options? AA123 on 2/23, 9:10AM departure.
  • Choose later
  • Cheese Lasagna
    pomodoro tomato sauce, grilled vegetables
  • Shrimp with Red Panang Curry
    With bamboo rice
  • Macadamia Crusted Chicken
    coconut sauce, soba noodles, sugar snap peas
Leaning heavily towards the chicken. Would these meals be the only options they have on board as well, or would there be more options on the actual plane? I'm willing to risk it for a better options, but the chicken sounds decent.
shimps1 is offline  
Old Feb 2, 2018, 10:45 am
  #88  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,487
Originally Posted by shimps1
Would these meals be the only options they have on board as well, or would there be more options on the actual plane? I'm willing to risk it for a better options, but the chicken sounds decent.
IME, I've never seen anything additional offered onboard. The options I've chosen tally with those I've heard the FAs offer other passengers.
Fraser is offline  
Old Feb 2, 2018, 10:46 am
  #89  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,735
You'll have the same options on the plane.
wrp96 is online now  
Old Feb 2, 2018, 11:56 am
  #90  
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 371
Just did HNL/DFW in PE, I was in First but had to change flights, no First available.. But no big deal, right? Go to the website and the PE section shows beautiful plated food, it's a 7 hour flight, should get a decent meal. First clue should have been no meal choice in my itinerary....ah, just a glitch. But then of course, as some know, as I do now, I get the prepackaged fruit/cheese combo and the boxed turkey wrap with a bag of chips. This of course was preceded by the drink cart, I asked how long before i see you again, "probably 1-2 hours, you want 2 wines?" Um, yes please. But I did learn that the upgrade list is stratified, with PE at the top of the list ahead of Economy, same list, just PE sitting on top, so i got that out of it.
ORD1Kguy is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.