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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
#991
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA ExP, Marriott Amb, National EAE, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat (RIP), US CP (RIP)
Posts: 2,379
SAN-DFW
AA 1055
06 Nov
DBML
For those interested in DBML breakfast. Omelettes seem to be the norm. This one was plain with a small amount of cheese and sliced tomato on the top, served with potatoes (white & sweet mix), and zucchini. Offered bread from the passed basket.
Not sure breakfast is a strong point for DBML. Definitely one meal I compare against standard offerings, but then I’m not a fan of of airline eggs. (Reminds me of limited service hotels buffet line omelettes).
#992
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
SAN-DFW
AA 1055
06 Nov
DBML
For those interested in DBML breakfast. Omelettes seem to be the norm. This one was plain with a small amount of cheese and sliced tomato on the top, served with potatoes (white & sweet mix), and zucchini. Offered bread from the passed basket.
Not sure breakfast is a strong point for DBML. Definitely one meal I compare against standard offerings, but then I’m not a fan of of airline eggs. (Reminds me of limited service hotels buffet line omelettes).
#993
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,670
SAN-DFW
AA 1055
06 Nov
DBML
For those interested in DBML breakfast. Omelettes seem to be the norm. This one was plain with a small amount of cheese and sliced tomato on the top, served with potatoes (white & sweet mix), and zucchini. Offered bread from the passed basket.
Not sure breakfast is a strong point for DBML. Definitely one meal I compare against standard offerings, but then I’m not a fan of of airline eggs. (Reminds me of limited service hotels buffet line omelettes).
AA 1055
06 Nov
DBML
For those interested in DBML breakfast. Omelettes seem to be the norm. This one was plain with a small amount of cheese and sliced tomato on the top, served with potatoes (white & sweet mix), and zucchini. Offered bread from the passed basket.
Not sure breakfast is a strong point for DBML. Definitely one meal I compare against standard offerings, but then I’m not a fan of of airline eggs. (Reminds me of limited service hotels buffet line omelettes).
I wonder how long all this will last. I feel like we're all playing prisoners who sign up for the kosher meals just to avoid regular prison food. Sooner or later, the rabbi might call to check in... These meals have got to cost AA more than the normal ones.
#994
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
AA 1403 BWI-DFW 0654-0935 737-800
No PDB
Choice of steel cut oatmeal or split biscuit. Awful flight attendant didn't acknowledge pre-orders and did all service from the cart including the first drink service. I asked for a Cranapple and ended up with OJ. She then disappeared for the rest of the flight. Oh and the meal was pretty bad too. It definitely wasn't my day.
No PDB
Choice of steel cut oatmeal or split biscuit. Awful flight attendant didn't acknowledge pre-orders and did all service from the cart including the first drink service. I asked for a Cranapple and ended up with OJ. She then disappeared for the rest of the flight. Oh and the meal was pretty bad too. It definitely wasn't my day.
#995
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
Seeing some new items/variations on BOS/ORD flights in December:
- Grilled Chicken Grilled Chicken selected for CHOPCHOP767 for ORD to BOS with lemon artichoke risotto, asparagus and herbed butter
- Lasagnette Lasagnette selected for CHOPCHOP767 for ORD to BOS with shitake mushroom and fava bean ragu
- AVAILABLE BY PRE-ORDER ONLY - Fruit and Cheese Plate AVAILABLE BY PRE-ORDER ONLY - Fruit and Cheese Plate selected for CHOPCHOP767 for ORD to BOS fresh grapes and dried fruit with assorted cheeses
#996
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA- EXP UA - Silver SPG- PLT Marriott- PLT
Posts: 759
I feel like the special meals must really depend on where they are coming from. This was the diabetic meal I got from PDX-> Ord last week. The chicken tasted like it had been reheated 4 times. I didn’t really touch the rest.
my guess if it’s a bigger station, they are pulling some of the better international food to make these special meals. If it’s a station like PDX, not so much.
see picture in next post
my guess if it’s a bigger station, they are pulling some of the better international food to make these special meals. If it’s a station like PDX, not so much.
see picture in next post
Last edited by chicagoflyer1976; Nov 26, 2018 at 10:24 pm Reason: photo
#997
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA- EXP UA - Silver SPG- PLT Marriott- PLT
Posts: 759
#998
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA ExP, Marriott Amb, National EAE, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat (RIP), US CP (RIP)
Posts: 2,379
I feel like the special meals must really depend on where they are coming from. This was the diabetic meal I got from PDX-> Ord last week. The chicken tasted like it had been reheated 4 times. I didn’t really touch the rest.
my guess if it’s a bigger station, they are pulling some of the better international food to make these special meals. If it’s a station like PDX, not so much.
see picture in next post
my guess if it’s a bigger station, they are pulling some of the better international food to make these special meals. If it’s a station like PDX, not so much.
see picture in next post
#999
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
What pasta side, in the photo that looks like Lentils which are good for diabetics.
#1000
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
I feel like the special meals must really depend on where they are coming from. This was the diabetic meal I got from PDX-> Ord last week. The chicken tasted like it had been reheated 4 times. I didn’t really touch the rest.
my guess if it’s a bigger station, they are pulling some of the better international food to make these special meals. If it’s a station like PDX, not so much.
see picture in next post
my guess if it’s a bigger station, they are pulling some of the better international food to make these special meals. If it’s a station like PDX, not so much.
see picture in next post
#1001
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,004
#1002
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 578
Could it be Israeli/pearl couscous? That's got some of the same components as pasta... Though in fairness, it does have a reputation for having a lower glycemic index than pasta or even regular couscous. I don't have any specific education on that, so I may just be falling for marketing on this, but I've always heard it considered an ok way for diabetics to enjoy something that eats like pasta... Which would explain why it's on a DBML.
#1003
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
Could it be Israeli/pearl couscous? That's got some of the same components as pasta... Though in fairness, it does have a reputation for having a lower glycemic index than pasta or even regular couscous. I don't have any specific education on that, so I may just be falling for marketing on this, but I've always heard it considered an ok way for diabetics to enjoy something that eats like pasta... Which would explain why it's on a DBML.
#1004
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA ExP, Marriott Amb, National EAE, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat (RIP), US CP (RIP)
Posts: 2,379
Definitely not lentils. Could be some sort of non-pasta grain but was closer in texture to pastina than couscous. Also more flat saucer shape than round. Side dish was tabbouleh.
Portion size was way off even if a low glycemic pearl couscous.
#1005
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
I have the choice of the new burger or the asian chicken salad which sounds kind of boring. Think I might just go DBML instead for lunch