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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
May 5, 2018, 9:42 am
#361
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LAX
Programs: AS 100K, DL PL, B6 M3
Posts: 180
CLT-PDX 8:19pm
PDB of choice. In flight service: warm nuts, followed by my choice of Porcini Mushroom Tortellini. Hand scoped sundaes offered later on demand for those that were still awake. Excellent service, even pulled down personal items after takeoff for those in the bulkhead.
Last edited by firemandan9; May 5, 2018 at 10:01 am
May 5, 2018, 9:51 am
#362
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
So are they applying a tolerance on the 8 PM meal cutoff, is this a new "exception" route, did you just get lucky, or have I once again failed to remain up to date on the meal rules (even after reading the wiki again!!!). My presumption is the latter, but one of the former two would be nice!
May 5, 2018, 10:15 am
#363
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 417
Maybe a silly question, however - first time AA in Domestic first (coming from Europe)... I will be flying MIA-SFO and have a choice of an omelette and steel cut oatmeal.
Is the oatmeal usually served very hot or usually just half-cold on AA flights?
Given it is a almost 5,5h flight, will there we any service prior to the SFO arrival or should I bring my own sandwich for later?
Thanks
Is the oatmeal usually served very hot or usually just half-cold on AA flights?
Given it is a almost 5,5h flight, will there we any service prior to the SFO arrival or should I bring my own sandwich for later?
Thanks
May 5, 2018, 12:08 pm
#364
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Pic to come but just got off JFK-LAX and the steak and eggs dish was really good......even the Bernaise sauce was better than when it was served with that disgusting cream cheese omelette. Also the J crew were amazing on this flight.....even better than FC.
JFK-LAX
LAA A321T
Breakfast, Business Class
Awesome service from our FA's.
JFK-LAX
LAA A321T
Breakfast, Business Class
Awesome service from our FA's.
Last edited by AANYC1981; May 8, 2018 at 10:59 am
May 5, 2018, 5:09 pm
#365
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
Sandwich was a good choice; if I wanted fruit and yogurt, I would just have that in the AC as it's pretty much the same offering. Despite the lack of PDBs on this morning's flight from ORD to BOS, FA was fantastic. Super friendly and walked the aisle for most of the flight with a coffee carafe offering refills ^
May 8, 2018, 12:16 am
#366
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: San Diego (SAN)
Programs: IHG Platinum
Posts: 939
This isn't hummus, which is why it didn't taste like hummus :-) It's "cream cheese tomato basil dip".
MIA-DEN
Snack
(LAA) Airbus 321 (Sharklets)
PDB offered only after an announcement that we were waiting for maintenance to replace a phone cord on the plane (
)
After the 30 minute delay, we were eventually airborne.
Hot towels and drink of choice offered.
Snack choices were either the hummus or the cheese plate.
I went with the hummus. It wasn't the old-type of hummus AA used to serve on these flights. This one seemed sour somehow. It was served with a single tomato and carrot. Sea-salt crackers and a chocolate bar were also on the tray.
While this is certainly better than the hot nuts/cookie late night service, I still would have preferred a full meal for this just after 8PM departure. Oh well.
Snack
(LAA) Airbus 321 (Sharklets)
PDB offered only after an announcement that we were waiting for maintenance to replace a phone cord on the plane (
)After the 30 minute delay, we were eventually airborne.
Hot towels and drink of choice offered.
Snack choices were either the hummus or the cheese plate.
I went with the hummus. It wasn't the old-type of hummus AA used to serve on these flights. This one seemed sour somehow. It was served with a single tomato and carrot. Sea-salt crackers and a chocolate bar were also on the tray.
While this is certainly better than the hot nuts/cookie late night service, I still would have preferred a full meal for this just after 8PM departure. Oh well.
May 8, 2018, 9:05 am
#367
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP, SPG / Marriott GLD, HHonors GLD
Posts: 520
So are they applying a tolerance on the 8 PM meal cutoff, is this a new "exception" route, did you just get lucky, or have I once again failed to remain up to date on the meal rules (even after reading the wiki again!!!). My presumption is the latter, but one of the former two would be nice!
May 8, 2018, 9:27 am
#368
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
Right, I am aware of that - the known exception flights are listed in the wiki, and the route the OP mentioned was not one of them. Hence me being curious if this was a new permanent exception, or just a fluke.
May 8, 2018, 9:42 am
#369
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 45
There are other flights that receive meals that shouldn’t according to AA’s policy. One is my DFW-RSW flight this Friday. It’s a 2:45 pm departure with lunch. Lasagna or a salad of some sort. I chose the former. So go figure ...
May 8, 2018, 11:06 am
#370
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
LAX-JFK
LAA A321T
"Dinner" in MCE (I was #6 for the UPG and only 1 person cleared :/ )
3 choices for the complimentary meal: turkey/ham wrap, spicy veggie wrap or fruit/cheese plate. Kind of wish I had gone with the spicy veggie wrap, but this was fine. Also had a double bloody mary and was not charged. Very nice crew in the back too. There was a 2nd beverage service closer to landing where everyone got the pretzels and the biscoff cookies
LAA A321T
"Dinner" in MCE (I was #6 for the UPG and only 1 person cleared :/ )
3 choices for the complimentary meal: turkey/ham wrap, spicy veggie wrap or fruit/cheese plate. Kind of wish I had gone with the spicy veggie wrap, but this was fine. Also had a double bloody mary and was not charged. Very nice crew in the back too. There was a 2nd beverage service closer to landing where everyone got the pretzels and the biscoff cookies
May 8, 2018, 12:22 pm
#371
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP, SPG / Marriott GLD, HHonors GLD
Posts: 520
5/7/2018
SFO-CLT, LUS A321
Row 1C
Departure 1:10PM, Lunch
Got upgraded at the gate, only two of us cleared the gate lottery. Some hubbub at the gate when the #2 on the list was cleared; only to go up and demand she was linked to a companion that was appearing far below. Not sure exactly the snafu but the GA very loudly commented something about how this EXP didn't know what she was talking about and in 25 years she'd never seen a linked reservation work at the airport for folks not on the same PNR. It was amusing. Ms. #2 didn't want to be upgraded without her companion so the lady had to un-upgrade her, get her her seat back (which she'd just given to a really nice older lady; and instead upgraded #3 on the list. The whole thing took like 10 minutes when we were supposed to be boarding so it basically delayed an already delayed flight (incoming AC was about 20 min late). On board, 1D was a non-functioning seat - the cushion had been ripped and was all taped up - and Ms. #2 commented something to the order of that must be the reason her companion didn't get the upgrade. This LUS bird was definitely showing it's age.
Started off with Full PDBs, but afterwards service kind of disappointed. FA went through all the motions but without proactively refilling drinks - had to be prompted. Spent several hours sitting in the galley reading her phone and would only come out when the service light went on. All in all, one of the poorer services I've had in domestic F this year. Was especially contrasted with the fantastic service on 1 hour CLT-MCO where the FA gave PDB refills, came around with the basket at least three times, and managed 4 refills of my sparkling water in air for a one hour flight.
Lunch was a choice of a cheese enchilada or a saffron orzo salad with shrimp. I went with the enchilada and it had a suprising kick. The corn and tomato salad was actually pretty spicy too - and I like spicy food! I noticed a lot of people didn't touch it as a result. It had red chiles and jalapenos in it, but raw (some with seeds). Dessert was a choice between the ice cream sundae or cheese plate. The FA on this sector actually put all the ingredients on the cart and rolled down making the sundaes at each seat with desired toppings, which I hadn't seen on a domestic nonprem transcon in a long time. All in all, not a bad meal - lots and lots of food which is more than our UA brethren can claim. FA also came around with two passes of the snack basket about 1.5 hours before arrival. I was stuffed and refused.
Cheese Enchilada, side salad, roasted corn and tomato salad, pretzel rolls, leftover mixed nuts
Ice cream sundae with chocolate, strawberries, and nuts
SFO-CLT, LUS A321
Row 1C
Departure 1:10PM, Lunch
Got upgraded at the gate, only two of us cleared the gate lottery. Some hubbub at the gate when the #2 on the list was cleared; only to go up and demand she was linked to a companion that was appearing far below. Not sure exactly the snafu but the GA very loudly commented something about how this EXP didn't know what she was talking about and in 25 years she'd never seen a linked reservation work at the airport for folks not on the same PNR. It was amusing. Ms. #2 didn't want to be upgraded without her companion so the lady had to un-upgrade her, get her her seat back (which she'd just given to a really nice older lady; and instead upgraded #3 on the list. The whole thing took like 10 minutes when we were supposed to be boarding so it basically delayed an already delayed flight (incoming AC was about 20 min late). On board, 1D was a non-functioning seat - the cushion had been ripped and was all taped up - and Ms. #2 commented something to the order of that must be the reason her companion didn't get the upgrade. This LUS bird was definitely showing it's age.
Started off with Full PDBs, but afterwards service kind of disappointed. FA went through all the motions but without proactively refilling drinks - had to be prompted. Spent several hours sitting in the galley reading her phone and would only come out when the service light went on. All in all, one of the poorer services I've had in domestic F this year. Was especially contrasted with the fantastic service on 1 hour CLT-MCO where the FA gave PDB refills, came around with the basket at least three times, and managed 4 refills of my sparkling water in air for a one hour flight.
Lunch was a choice of a cheese enchilada or a saffron orzo salad with shrimp. I went with the enchilada and it had a suprising kick. The corn and tomato salad was actually pretty spicy too - and I like spicy food! I noticed a lot of people didn't touch it as a result. It had red chiles and jalapenos in it, but raw (some with seeds). Dessert was a choice between the ice cream sundae or cheese plate. The FA on this sector actually put all the ingredients on the cart and rolled down making the sundaes at each seat with desired toppings, which I hadn't seen on a domestic nonprem transcon in a long time. All in all, not a bad meal - lots and lots of food which is more than our UA brethren can claim. FA also came around with two passes of the snack basket about 1.5 hours before arrival. I was stuffed and refused.
Cheese Enchilada, side salad, roasted corn and tomato salad, pretzel rolls, leftover mixed nuts
Ice cream sundae with chocolate, strawberries, and nuts
May 9, 2018, 7:18 am
#372
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: Delta, AA-Gold, Hilton-Gold
Posts: 93
Anyone have any experience with the Shrimp with Tamarind Sauce or Vegetarian Paella? Two very unique options for Airline food. I swore off Airplane Shrimp a while back but I'm not sure Vegetarian Paella is a better option.
May 9, 2018, 7:47 am
#373
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,451
If you don't mind me asking, what route is this? Both seem like new entree options for domestic/North American flights. Personally I'd go for the shrimp (I've had decent experiences with AA shrimp entrees), but the paella might be the safer bet, especially if you're on the fence about seafood/shellfish on board.
May 9, 2018, 8:29 am
#374
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: Delta, AA-Gold, Hilton-Gold
Posts: 93
CUN->CLT. I should probably quantify the Shrimp statement. I had the Shrimp and Grits a while back and they were less than desirable. I also happen to live on the coast and have fresh shrimp for 6 months out of the year so that doesn't help. The Shrimp and Grits were edible, they just had that frozen chlorine taste to them.
May 13, 2018, 10:26 am
#375
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Denver
Programs: AS, AA, UA, Hilton, Marriott, Caesars DE
Posts: 2,070
Route: DEN-CLT
Date: 5/7
Flight: 1790
Time: 4:02PM
Meal: Beef
Service was great, open bar PDB on ground, FA got into action right as we hit 10k feet, and didn't stop until we landed, was constantly refilling glasses and did everything in a very efficient and timely manner. Food was meh, salad was very simple, mixed greens and some red peppers. Two shrimp in a precoated "fancy" cocktail sauce. Beef with asparagus on a bed of quinoa, beef is not my meat of choice so I can't rate, I assume what you expect from plane beef.
Date: 5/7
Flight: 1790
Time: 4:02PM
Meal: Beef
Service was great, open bar PDB on ground, FA got into action right as we hit 10k feet, and didn't stop until we landed, was constantly refilling glasses and did everything in a very efficient and timely manner. Food was meh, salad was very simple, mixed greens and some red peppers. Two shrimp in a precoated "fancy" cocktail sauce. Beef with asparagus on a bed of quinoa, beef is not my meat of choice so I can't rate, I assume what you expect from plane beef.