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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
Oct 26, 2018, 8:25 pm
#931
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 361
Major lunch and dinner refresh coming mid-November. Pre order options should be live. Cutover date should be roughly 11/7 with some residual from the stock of the old entrees.
Oct 27, 2018, 4:12 pm
#932
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,159
Oct 27, 2018, 4:30 pm
#933
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
Oct 27, 2018, 6:08 pm
#934
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
Oct 28, 2018, 7:54 am
#935
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,009
Oct 28, 2018, 10:34 am
#936
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: AAdvantage (Exec. Plat.)
Posts: 81
Two diabetic meals to share:
The first three photos are from CLT-LAS, with the best-cooked steak I've ever had on American Airlines. Not sure about have two such substantial proteins, but it certainly was a tasty, filling meal all-around. I skipped the pre-packaged roll and went with a pretzel roll offered by the crew.
The second meal (the last photo) was from LAX-AUS. Not a fantastic presentation on the main course, but it was tasty nonetheless. I enjoyed the larger, more substantial salad and fruit.
The first three photos are from CLT-LAS, with the best-cooked steak I've ever had on American Airlines. Not sure about have two such substantial proteins, but it certainly was a tasty, filling meal all-around. I skipped the pre-packaged roll and went with a pretzel roll offered by the crew.
The second meal (the last photo) was from LAX-AUS. Not a fantastic presentation on the main course, but it was tasty nonetheless. I enjoyed the larger, more substantial salad and fruit.
Oct 30, 2018, 6:03 pm
#937
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Oct 30, 2018, 7:24 pm
#938
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: AAdvantage (Exec. Plat.)
Posts: 81
DFW-BOS Grilled Chicken with Haricot Verts Nevermind; none of the pre-orders were loaded and there was only one option for dinner, the stuffed poblano. Meh. The salmon appetizer was good, though, as well as the ice cream. Unfortunately the crew seemed like they were on another planet, which made the service painfully disjointed and without method.
Nov 4, 2018, 1:36 pm
#939
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Denver
Programs: AS, AA, UA, Hilton, Marriott, Caesars DE
Posts: 2,070
11/1/18 16:14
AA 1636
CLT-DEN
Choice: Beef Filet or Cheese Lasagna
Choices haven't changed on this route, so decided on the lasagna. Was average all around, still confused what the side is and have yet to touch it, salad again very simple. Nuts and drinks were served after takeoff, but no PDB which is only the second time this has happened out of CLT, may have been due to the crew being relatively young. Ice cream for dessert, and drinks were kept filled for the flight.
AA 1636
CLT-DEN
Choice: Beef Filet or Cheese Lasagna
Choices haven't changed on this route, so decided on the lasagna. Was average all around, still confused what the side is and have yet to touch it, salad again very simple. Nuts and drinks were served after takeoff, but no PDB which is only the second time this has happened out of CLT, may have been due to the crew being relatively young. Ice cream for dessert, and drinks were kept filled for the flight.
Nov 4, 2018, 2:08 pm
#940
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
DFW-BOS Grilled Chicken with Haricot Verts Nevermind; none of the pre-orders were loaded and there was only one option for dinner, the stuffed poblano. Meh. The salmon appetizer was good, though, as well as the ice cream. Unfortunately the crew seemed like they were on another planet, which made the service painfully disjointed and without method.
Nov 4, 2018, 2:26 pm
#941
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
PHX-OGG
OLD LUS Boeing 757-200 Hawaii Version
Lunch
Pre-departure beverage of choice.
Once in the air, we were offered hot towels, a COLD Hawaiian nut mix served in a ramekin, and drink of choice. The meal choices today were either the Grilled Pork Chop, or a curry dish. I went with the curry dish and it was one of the best dishes that I have ever had on an aircraft. It was full of flavor and was simply delicious. The appetizer plate was a white blob of who knows what. The salad was fine, though uninspired. Rolls were pre-plated on the tray and there was no choice, which was disappointing. Dessert was a choice of either a fruit and cheese plate or a customized ice cream sundae. Needless to say, I went with the always tasty sundae. Napkins were pumpkin-themed for Halloween, which I have a feeling the flight attendant bought out of his own pocket.
The flight attendant made a few passes of the snack basket prior to landing. He also offered a Halloween treat bag, which, again, I have a feeling he paid for out of his own pocket. This was a very nice touch and his service throughout the flight was great.
OLD LUS Boeing 757-200 Hawaii Version
Lunch
Pre-departure beverage of choice.
Once in the air, we were offered hot towels, a COLD Hawaiian nut mix served in a ramekin, and drink of choice. The meal choices today were either the Grilled Pork Chop, or a curry dish. I went with the curry dish and it was one of the best dishes that I have ever had on an aircraft. It was full of flavor and was simply delicious. The appetizer plate was a white blob of who knows what. The salad was fine, though uninspired. Rolls were pre-plated on the tray and there was no choice, which was disappointing. Dessert was a choice of either a fruit and cheese plate or a customized ice cream sundae. Needless to say, I went with the always tasty sundae. Napkins were pumpkin-themed for Halloween, which I have a feeling the flight attendant bought out of his own pocket.
The flight attendant made a few passes of the snack basket prior to landing. He also offered a Halloween treat bag, which, again, I have a feeling he paid for out of his own pocket. This was a very nice touch and his service throughout the flight was great.
Nov 4, 2018, 2:34 pm
#942
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,631
Nov 5, 2018, 10:45 am
#943
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,210
Has anyone tried the hamburger in F? I hadn't seen this option before. This is on a lunch ORD-SEA flight.
- Asian Chopped Salad Asian Chopped Salad
shredded cabbage, red pepper and mango with a side of sweet chili grilled chicken - Hamburger Hamburger selected
on a brioche bun with colby jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickled onions and chips
Nov 5, 2018, 11:23 am
#944
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 38
Greetings,
I routinely fly TUS-ORD on Sunday mornings, first class, after 5AM (since last night's DST changes, after 6AM). This flight is listed as 3 hours, 29 minutes and according to "previous activity" in the AA app the base miles are 1,740. Flt number 2358.
For the last two weeks (including yesterday) there has been "no catering" meaning that breakfast was a small container of yogurt and a small (like 1.5 oz) bag of granola. They stepped it up a bit and threw in a fig bar as well yesterday.
I hardly think this qualifies as a first class meal. The pilot made an announcement saying to please not complain to the FA's but to email to aa.com. The week before they just pretended like this was normal...
Where on AA website can I find information on what was expected versus what was delivered?
In the WIKI (expertflyer.com) there is a breakdown by miles and what kind of meal to expect. Is this information still true?
Thanks!
P.S. I did notice both times the pilots received a full breakfast of roll, fruit, granola, yogurt, milk, cereal, etc...
I routinely fly TUS-ORD on Sunday mornings, first class, after 5AM (since last night's DST changes, after 6AM). This flight is listed as 3 hours, 29 minutes and according to "previous activity" in the AA app the base miles are 1,740. Flt number 2358.
For the last two weeks (including yesterday) there has been "no catering" meaning that breakfast was a small container of yogurt and a small (like 1.5 oz) bag of granola. They stepped it up a bit and threw in a fig bar as well yesterday.
I hardly think this qualifies as a first class meal. The pilot made an announcement saying to please not complain to the FA's but to email to aa.com. The week before they just pretended like this was normal...
Where on AA website can I find information on what was expected versus what was delivered?
In the WIKI (expertflyer.com) there is a breakdown by miles and what kind of meal to expect. Is this information still true?
Thanks!
P.S. I did notice both times the pilots received a full breakfast of roll, fruit, granola, yogurt, milk, cereal, etc...