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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
Mar 6, 2018, 1:22 pm
#181
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: STL/ORD/MCI/SAN
Programs: AA CK MM, AC SE100K, BA Gold, UA 1K, DL Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,989
SJD-ORD
AA 1283
737-800
2:45p departure
Lunch
No PDB served on the ground. I did politely ask and was told there would be nothing until we were in the air. The flight attendants claimed they were catered late and didn't have time, but no catering arrived at any point after F boarded, so that was clearly nonsense. One FA begrudgingly brought me some water and seemed strangely offended that I had asked.
Menu:
Grilled Chicken Breast
with mole poblano sauce, Mexican rice, and black beans
Stuffed Poblano Pepper
with cilantro lime rice and caldillo tomato sauce
Warm nuts and an initial round of drinks were served about 45 minutes after wheels-up.
Went with the chicken...
With the exception of the bit of sauce, the entire meal was a bit on the dry side, but wasn't bad overall
Key lime pie for dessert... guess we'll have to enjoy this while it lasts (based on what's been posted, I would assume this route will be included in the lunch dessert cuts)
Unfortunately, surly attitude and inconsistent service from the flight crew continued throughout the flight. The fact that this seemed to be an LAA ORD-based crew made this somewhat surprising to me, as I've generally found these crews to be much more professional in recent experiences.
No real complaints about this meal/catering -- nothing fantastic, but nice to get something a bit different, and the amount of food was appropriate for a flight of this length.
AA 1283
737-800
2:45p departure
Lunch
No PDB served on the ground. I did politely ask and was told there would be nothing until we were in the air. The flight attendants claimed they were catered late and didn't have time, but no catering arrived at any point after F boarded, so that was clearly nonsense. One FA begrudgingly brought me some water and seemed strangely offended that I had asked.
Menu:
Grilled Chicken Breast
with mole poblano sauce, Mexican rice, and black beans
Stuffed Poblano Pepper
with cilantro lime rice and caldillo tomato sauce
Warm nuts and an initial round of drinks were served about 45 minutes after wheels-up.
Went with the chicken...
With the exception of the bit of sauce, the entire meal was a bit on the dry side, but wasn't bad overall
Key lime pie for dessert... guess we'll have to enjoy this while it lasts (based on what's been posted, I would assume this route will be included in the lunch dessert cuts)
Unfortunately, surly attitude and inconsistent service from the flight crew continued throughout the flight. The fact that this seemed to be an LAA ORD-based crew made this somewhat surprising to me, as I've generally found these crews to be much more professional in recent experiences.
No real complaints about this meal/catering -- nothing fantastic, but nice to get something a bit different, and the amount of food was appropriate for a flight of this length.
Mar 6, 2018, 2:06 pm
#182
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,642
AA466 CLT-SMF
3/5/2018
6:25pm departure (on time)
Dinner
Options were cheese lasagna or filet of beef. Seatmate had the lasagna, it looked fine. I didn't see the beef.
I preordered fruit and cheese since I knew I would get something on the ground in CLT before departure (the place I picked, however, was a big mistake...1897 Market is to be avoided! Fries were served ice cold and the burger was a greasy, disgusting mess.)
3/5/2018
6:25pm departure (on time)
Dinner
Options were cheese lasagna or filet of beef. Seatmate had the lasagna, it looked fine. I didn't see the beef.
I preordered fruit and cheese since I knew I would get something on the ground in CLT before departure (the place I picked, however, was a big mistake...1897 Market is to be avoided! Fries were served ice cold and the burger was a greasy, disgusting mess.)
Mar 6, 2018, 3:47 pm
#183
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
SJD-ORD
AA 1283
737-800
2:45p departure
Lunch
No PDB served on the ground. I did politely ask and was told there would be nothing until we were in the air. The flight attendants claimed they were catered late and didn't have time, but no catering arrived at any point after F boarded, so that was clearly nonsense. One FA begrudgingly brought me some water and seemed strangely offended that I had asked.
Unfortunately, surly attitude and inconsistent service from the flight crew continued throughout the flight. The fact that this seemed to be an LAA ORD-based crew made this somewhat surprising to me, as I've generally found these crews to be much more professional in recent experiences.
No real complaints about this meal/catering -- nothing fantastic, but nice to get something a bit different, and the amount of food was appropriate for a flight of this length.
AA 1283
737-800
2:45p departure
Lunch
No PDB served on the ground. I did politely ask and was told there would be nothing until we were in the air. The flight attendants claimed they were catered late and didn't have time, but no catering arrived at any point after F boarded, so that was clearly nonsense. One FA begrudgingly brought me some water and seemed strangely offended that I had asked.
Unfortunately, surly attitude and inconsistent service from the flight crew continued throughout the flight. The fact that this seemed to be an LAA ORD-based crew made this somewhat surprising to me, as I've generally found these crews to be much more professional in recent experiences.
No real complaints about this meal/catering -- nothing fantastic, but nice to get something a bit different, and the amount of food was appropriate for a flight of this length.
Mar 6, 2018, 3:58 pm
#184
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
Los Angeles LAX to Honolulu HNL
American AA 283
A321
9:45a-2:10p
February 28, 2018
I had pre-ordered my "Breakfast" meal today going with the Chicken Katsu.
Showtime, AA style.
Bread was the typical breakfast offerings including biscuits, jam, etc..
The chicken katsu was pretty good, especially with the BBQ sauce as a dip.
No dessert was offered although this was apparently a Breakfast flight which may explain. From the snack basket later in the flight.
And then there were the tray tables and beverage trays for both 3A and 3C, which are apparently all connected as one and and were not locked into position... causing them all to collapse and fall forward unless you used your knees to keep them in place. I guess a roll of duct tape is SOP on AA flights and our FA and I were able to improvise to keep the trays upright for meal service.
American AA 283
A321
9:45a-2:10p
February 28, 2018
I had pre-ordered my "Breakfast" meal today going with the Chicken Katsu.
Showtime, AA style.
Bread was the typical breakfast offerings including biscuits, jam, etc..
The chicken katsu was pretty good, especially with the BBQ sauce as a dip.
No dessert was offered although this was apparently a Breakfast flight which may explain. From the snack basket later in the flight.
And then there were the tray tables and beverage trays for both 3A and 3C, which are apparently all connected as one and and were not locked into position... causing them all to collapse and fall forward unless you used your knees to keep them in place. I guess a roll of duct tape is SOP on AA flights and our FA and I were able to improvise to keep the trays upright for meal service.
Mar 6, 2018, 4:10 pm
#185
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
And then there were the tray tables and beverage trays for both 3A and 3C, which are apparently all connected as one and and were not locked into position... causing them all to collapse and fall forward unless you used your knees to keep them in place. I guess a roll of duct tape is SOP on AA flights and our FA and I were able to improvise to keep the trays upright for meal service.
Mar 6, 2018, 5:08 pm
#186
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: NYC/BOS
Programs: AA Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 54
Mar 8, 2018, 10:30 am
#187
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 2,085
Mar 8, 2018, 3:40 pm
#188
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
Mar 8, 2018, 6:12 pm
#189
Join Date: May 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP 2MM
Posts: 644
SJD-ORD
AA 1283
737-800
2:45p departure
Lunch
No PDB served on the ground. I did politely ask and was told there would be nothing until we were in the air. The flight attendants claimed they were catered late and didn't have time, but no catering arrived at any point after F boarded, so that was clearly nonsense. One FA begrudgingly brought me some water and seemed strangely offended that I had asked.
Menu:
Grilled Chicken Breast
with mole poblano sauce, Mexican rice, and black beans
Stuffed Poblano Pepper
with cilantro lime rice and caldillo tomato sauce
Warm nuts and an initial round of drinks were served about 45 minutes after wheels-up.
Went with the chicken...
With the exception of the bit of sauce, the entire meal was a bit on the dry side, but wasn't bad overall
Key lime pie for dessert... guess we'll have to enjoy this while it lasts (based on what's been posted, I would assume this route will be included in the lunch dessert cuts)
Unfortunately, surly attitude and inconsistent service from the flight crew continued throughout the flight. The fact that this seemed to be an LAA ORD-based crew made this somewhat surprising to me, as I've generally found these crews to be much more professional in recent experiences.
No real complaints about this meal/catering -- nothing fantastic, but nice to get something a bit different, and the amount of food was appropriate for a flight of this length.
AA 1283
737-800
2:45p departure
Lunch
No PDB served on the ground. I did politely ask and was told there would be nothing until we were in the air. The flight attendants claimed they were catered late and didn't have time, but no catering arrived at any point after F boarded, so that was clearly nonsense. One FA begrudgingly brought me some water and seemed strangely offended that I had asked.
Menu:
Grilled Chicken Breast
with mole poblano sauce, Mexican rice, and black beans
Stuffed Poblano Pepper
with cilantro lime rice and caldillo tomato sauce
Warm nuts and an initial round of drinks were served about 45 minutes after wheels-up.
Went with the chicken...
With the exception of the bit of sauce, the entire meal was a bit on the dry side, but wasn't bad overall
Key lime pie for dessert... guess we'll have to enjoy this while it lasts (based on what's been posted, I would assume this route will be included in the lunch dessert cuts)
Unfortunately, surly attitude and inconsistent service from the flight crew continued throughout the flight. The fact that this seemed to be an LAA ORD-based crew made this somewhat surprising to me, as I've generally found these crews to be much more professional in recent experiences.
No real complaints about this meal/catering -- nothing fantastic, but nice to get something a bit different, and the amount of food was appropriate for a flight of this length.
Mar 8, 2018, 11:00 pm
#190
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
Los Angeles LAX to Honolulu HNL
American AA 283
A321
9:45a-2:10p
February 28, 2018
And then there were the tray tables and beverage trays for both 3A and 3C, which are apparently all connected as one and and were not locked into position... causing them all to collapse and fall forward unless you used your knees to keep them in place. I guess a roll of duct tape is SOP on AA flights and our FA and I were able to improvise to keep the trays upright for meal service.
American AA 283
A321
9:45a-2:10p
February 28, 2018
And then there were the tray tables and beverage trays for both 3A and 3C, which are apparently all connected as one and and were not locked into position... causing them all to collapse and fall forward unless you used your knees to keep them in place. I guess a roll of duct tape is SOP on AA flights and our FA and I were able to improvise to keep the trays upright for meal service.
Mar 9, 2018, 12:13 pm
#191
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: California
Programs: AA Gold.
Posts: 158
March 8th 2018, AA177 JFK-SFO Same menu from Feb 2018
Smoked Salmon Dip
Salad with Miso Ginger Dressing
Beef Filet
Cheese plate.
Smoked Salmon Dip
Salad with Miso Ginger Dressing
Beef Filet
Cheese plate.
Mar 10, 2018, 9:36 am
#192
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 45
MIA-ORD
I’m flying MIA-ORD on April 4th with dinner choices being stuffed peppers or chicken meatballs. Which would you guys recommend?
Mar 10, 2018, 9:39 am
#193
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
Mar 11, 2018, 1:20 pm
#195
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM | BA Silver
Posts: 7,193
Doing a quick dummy booking for mid-March, I see the 8:10pm showing as "Refreshments." In AA lingo, that probably means only warmed nuts and a cookie, maybe a snack basket. If you're wanting to get a full meal, I'd suggest doing a free SDC to an earlier flight that does have meal service.
Yes, it's a full dinner flight. Sometimes it leaves even later (8:20 or 8:30) and still serves dinner. You should be able to pre-order on AA's website.
Given the length you'll get an appetizer, and the ice cream sundae for dessert. Make sure your electronics are charged prior to boarding - this is a legacy US 321 aircraft with no IFE and no inseat power, and that's a fairly long flight - 5 to 6 hours.
Given the length you'll get an appetizer, and the ice cream sundae for dessert. Make sure your electronics are charged prior to boarding - this is a legacy US 321 aircraft with no IFE and no inseat power, and that's a fairly long flight - 5 to 6 hours.
Not trying to nitpick (just setting proper expectations), but actually, dinner flights on CLT-LAX get ice cream for dessert, not the made-to-order sundae, because it's under 2200 miles. I looked at AA.com and CLT-LAX shows as "Refreshments" under Meal Services. I think you're thinking of CLT-SFO and PHL-SFO/LAX as having dinner past 8pm, as those are 2200+ miles. Just did a test booking, and a 8:20pm CLT-SFO shows as dinner. Because CLT-LAX is under 2200 miles, that's allegedly why it does not get dinner past the firm 8pm window.
Before the merger flights leaving east coast to west coast after 8pm till 845pm got a full meal not true today. After doing a dummy booking you can not order a meal, and it does show "refreshments" which would mean, warm nuts, snack (small plate) and a cookie. So OP get dinner before your flight.
Apologies all. I was applying my experience with CLT-SFO (I take that route often on the 8pm+ flight) to CLT - LAX. CLT to SFO flights that leave after 8pm do get a meal (probably because they're 2200+ miles). The 10pm flight does not, it also gets the snack plate. Thanks for the correction everyone.
anc - there are some great food options in the CLT airport (and better what AA would serve anyways). For casual check out Brookwood Farms BBQ, for fast food Bojangles; and if you have time to sit down Beaudevin and Bad Daddy's Burgers are both excellent as well
anc - there are some great food options in the CLT airport (and better what AA would serve anyways). For casual check out Brookwood Farms BBQ, for fast food Bojangles; and if you have time to sit down Beaudevin and Bad Daddy's Burgers are both excellent as well
We only have 1H 11M to transfer, so it'll probably be takeaway. I'd love to have the smell of BBQ wafting through the cabin while everyone else is staring down their "snack." Any healthier/lighter options you would recommend? Thanks for the help everyone. Never flown through CLT.
Exactly - at minimal cost, they could offer a desirable service on a five-hour flight. Instead, they use a 10-minute technicality to be cheap.
I was in disbelief that only nuts and a cookie would be served in F the first time I took this flight. Now I just know to grab something to eat at CLT (if time permits, which is rare with AA's on-time record these days).
I don't usually eat light/healthy (something I'm trying to work on in the new year), so my suggestions may be off.
There's an Auntie Anne's offering a variety of options for a quick snack. There's a Chic-Fil-A, which has salads (I think?). There's also a decent sit-down Mexican restaurant, Tequileria, which has some solid margaritas. There's a good BBQ place, Carolina Pit BBQ, in the main food court. I usually go for Mexican or BBQ.
I was in disbelief that only nuts and a cookie would be served in F the first time I took this flight. Now I just know to grab something to eat at CLT (if time permits, which is rare with AA's on-time record these days).
I don't usually eat light/healthy (something I'm trying to work on in the new year), so my suggestions may be off.
There's an Auntie Anne's offering a variety of options for a quick snack. There's a Chic-Fil-A, which has salads (I think?). There's also a decent sit-down Mexican restaurant, Tequileria, which has some solid margaritas. There's a good BBQ place, Carolina Pit BBQ, in the main food court. I usually go for Mexican or BBQ.
My three main options are
1) Brookwood Farms BBQ if I have time to take it to the Admirals Club and eat it.
2) If I'm a little shorter on time I'll stop at Hissho Sushi which is in the main food court area attached to the First In Flight bar.
3) Bojangles that's in the end of B if my connection is within the end of that concourse.
1) Brookwood Farms BBQ if I have time to take it to the Admirals Club and eat it.
2) If I'm a little shorter on time I'll stop at Hissho Sushi which is in the main food court area attached to the First In Flight bar.
3) Bojangles that's in the end of B if my connection is within the end of that concourse.
CLT is... busy. Crowded everywhere and reminded us of LGA in some ways (low ceilings, cramped, bursting w ppl), except the main atrium which seemed quite nice. I see there is plenty of construction, so I'm sure it will all be nice at some point.
The flight was 5H 11M and the F meal service consisted of nuts and a tiny cheese or charcuterie plate. Not even a snack basket was offered. Super pathetic and AA is crazy to believe that is sufficient. The cabin also ran out of sparkling wine in the first round after takeoff, but that's not a deal breaker. The FAs were fine, service perfunctory.
Most domestic airlines aren't great, but I can't excuse the lack of power. I have an upcoming MIA-LAX and LAX-DCA in paid F, but after that I'll give more serious consideration to connecting or an inconvenient schedule on another airline over flying an AA transcon. Although who knows, those are meal flights and might have power outlets. All may be forgiven :-)
Thanks again folks!
Last edited by anc-ord772; Mar 11, 2018 at 1:54 pm Reason: Correct flight time.