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

Old Jan 1, 2018, 1:30 pm
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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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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.
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ARCHIVE: 2018 AA Domestic Meal / Meals - menu / photos / etc. (master thread)

Old Aug 8, 2018, 5:44 pm
  #691  
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AA Flight 1862
LGA-CLT A320
Depart 350PM but with rolling delays, we didn't arrive until 452pm
Arrive 615PM didn't arrive until 642pm
Seats 2 A-C

PDB x 2 One was served during boarding, the other was while we were sitting in line to take off, we were #10 in line to take off.

In the air, we just got drinks and a snack basket, I was under the impression that a snack would have been served.



Now I'm not too sure if this efficient service or lazy, but I had no problems being served a double.

Smooth flight all the way, until about 5 miles out and it was Mr. Toads wild ride.

AA 493
CLT-PHX A321
755PM didn't push back until 0830PM
Arrived 9-16pm at the start of another storm, again Mr. Toads Wild ride 5 miles out.
Seats 2D-F
Dinner

We were late boarding as the crew was late arriving.

PDB only 1

Dinner
Chicken Balls
Peppers and Cheese

Really AA what happened to variety what are others seeing for meals?

Drinks and Nuts (lukewarm at best)



Per-Order meals acknowledged I ordered the Hindu Meal and it was outstanding



Not too sure what the main meal was, but again, was outstanding, again, some of the passengers asked the FA about my meal (they could smell it)

Again hubby wouldn't take my advice and just ordered his regular meals, this time he had the Chicken Balls, he only at 1.5 of them and one tasting of the horrible polenta, but did eat everything else.



For dessert, Choch chip ice cream...



On this trip, I ordered all special meals and the only one that I won't get again will be the Kosher Meal. I will only order special meals from now, they are far superior to anything else AA is serving.
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Old Aug 8, 2018, 9:30 pm
  #692  
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MSP-LGA
E175
Dinner (Republic)
PDB of choice

Why are there no power outlets on these E175s with the slanted winglets?? Aren't these newer planes?

Drink of choice in the air.......never saw nuts passed out, only to the person who decline the meal and specifically asked for them......weird.

Otherwise a nice Republic flight with attentive service

1A on this plane is THE BEST.

Choice of (poorly described options which reminded me of Delta - meat and cheese plate or a veggie salad and no mention of chicken on the side). Salad was amazing and so healthy and pictured below.......cake was carrot cake which I hate but I tried and liked it



just to note I think this plane came in from LGA so I think they ran out of glassware so I had glassware for my first bloody mary but when I switched to wine I got plastic.

Last edited by AANYC1981; Aug 8, 2018 at 9:38 pm
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Old Aug 8, 2018, 10:25 pm
  #693  
 
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Thank you for that review and those pictures, FlightNurse. Helped me make my choice for upcoming flight into Dallas.....cancel the chicken balls and yellow paste; order the fruit/cheese plate.

That Hindu meal looks really good.

Regarding being served bottles for your beverage: That's common with legacy US Airways crews. Some call it lazy; I call it "proactive".

Last edited by jcatman; Aug 8, 2018 at 10:30 pm
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Old Aug 8, 2018, 10:27 pm
  #694  
 
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Originally Posted by MarioRossi
Any suggestions?

This is JFK-LAX in F
  • Quinoa and Barley Pilaf Quinoa and Barley Pilaf
    With kale, grilled artichokes and red pepper sauce
  • Beef Quesadilla Beef Quesadilla
    With guacamole, sour cream and pico de gallo
  • Sweet Chili Seared Red Snapper Sweet Chili Seared Red Snapper
    shishito pepper pesto, Thai fried rice, mixed vegetables
Was also thinking about Avml.

Thanks
La Quesadilla es no buena. Go Asian Vegetarian / Hindu / Muslim. Report back.
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Old Aug 8, 2018, 10:45 pm
  #695  
 
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Originally Posted by jcatman
La Quesadilla es no buena. Go Asian Vegetarian / Hindu / Muslim. Report back.
I actually think the quesadilla is one of AA's better options. Not healthy by any means, but tasty IMO
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Old Aug 8, 2018, 10:49 pm
  #696  
 
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Originally Posted by MarioRossi
Any suggestions?

This is JFK-LAX in F
  • Quinoa and Barley Pilaf Quinoa and Barley Pilaf
    With kale, grilled artichokes and red pepper sauce
  • Beef Quesadilla Beef Quesadilla
    With guacamole, sour cream and pico de gallo
  • Sweet Chili Seared Red Snapper Sweet Chili Seared Red Snapper
    shishito pepper pesto, Thai fried rice, mixed vegetables
Was also thinking about Avml.

Thanks
a quessidla seems a pretty weak offering for JFK-LAX in F IMO, might be better off doing Flagship Dinning
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Old Aug 9, 2018, 3:32 am
  #697  
 
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Originally Posted by ryan182

a quessidla seems a pretty weak offering for JFK-LAX in F IMO, might be better off doing Flagship Dinning
Quesadilla usually makes its appearance on the redeye flights......there's about 1 oz. of beef inside.
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Old Aug 9, 2018, 8:19 am
  #698  
 
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Originally Posted by MarioRossi
Any suggestions?

This is JFK-LAX in F
  • Quinoa and Barley Pilaf Quinoa and Barley Pilaf
    With kale, grilled artichokes and red pepper sauce
  • Beef Quesadilla Beef Quesadilla
    With guacamole, sour cream and pico de gallo
  • Sweet Chili Seared Red Snapper Sweet Chili Seared Red Snapper
    shishito pepper pesto, Thai fried rice, mixed vegetables
Was also thinking about Avml.

Thanks
Here is picture of the quesadilla from March LAX-JFK. It was okay, not a lot of beef inside.

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Old Aug 9, 2018, 10:29 am
  #699  
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Originally Posted by jcatman
Thank you for that review and those pictures, FlightNurse. Helped me make my choice for upcoming flight into Dallas.....cancel the chicken balls and yellow paste; order the fruit/cheese plate.

That Hindu meal looks really good.

Regarding being served bottles for your beverage: That's common with legacy US Airways crews. Some call it lazy; I call it "proactive".
I have many seat hours/miles with HP/US crews don't remember getting doubles but I like it.
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Old Aug 9, 2018, 1:45 pm
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I flew LAX-MIA on the 9:40am flight with the 772. Meal option was “brunch-snack”:

MAIN PLATES

CREAM CHEESE OMELETTE hot smoked salmon hash, béarnaise sauce

STRAWBERRY RHUBARB GALETTE vanilla sauce. grilled asparagus, chicken chipolata sausage

STEEL CUT OATS apple chips. toasted coconut, dried cranberries

selection of breakfast breads

DESSERT
LEMON TART

LIGHT REFRESHMENT
Offered pror to arrival

WHOLE FRUIT AND SNACKS
selection of fresh seasonal fruit, premium snacks

CHOCOLATE CHUNK OR SNICKERDOODLE COOKIES warmed on board
Although it’s a two class flight sold as first the menu stated it was for business on three class flights. I passed on the main plate options.

Last edited by skunker; Aug 9, 2018 at 2:17 pm
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Old Aug 9, 2018, 9:33 pm
  #701  
 
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Originally Posted by jcatman
La Quesadilla es no buena. Go Asian Vegetarian / Hindu / Muslim. Report back.
Do we have any intel on whether Transcon F's AVML/Hindu/Muslim is "better" in some way than whatever AVML/Hindu/Muslim meal would be served on, say, DCA-DFW?
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Old Aug 9, 2018, 10:49 pm
  #702  
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Originally Posted by platbrownguy
Do we have any intel on whether Transcon F's AVML/Hindu/Muslim is "better" in some way than whatever AVML/Hindu/Muslim meal would be served on, say, DCA-DFW?
When you say Transcon are you asking on the SFO/LAX-JFK flights? or LAX-BOS or LAX-MIA (non-wide-body) flights? I would assume the plating would be done differently on the premium transcon flights v other flights.
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Old Aug 9, 2018, 11:31 pm
  #703  
 
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Originally Posted by platbrownguy
Do we have any intel on whether Transcon F's AVML/Hindu/Muslim is "better" in some way than whatever AVML/Hindu/Muslim meal would be served on, say, DCA-DFW?
Some shorter flights into or out of DFW don't provide you the option of "special meals".
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Old Aug 10, 2018, 9:00 am
  #704  
 
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Originally Posted by FlightNurse
I have many seat hours/miles with HP/US crews don't remember getting doubles but I like it.
+1! After the Piedmont merger, two minis and a whole can of mixer was the standard of service on US -- one of the few legacies of Piedmont's "Southern Hospitality" that survived. Personally, I always preferred being able to mix my own drink to my liking (and having plenty at my seat). I think of it as "generous" and "personalized" -- not "lazy."
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Old Aug 10, 2018, 11:08 am
  #705  
 
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Originally Posted by FlightNurse
When you say Transcon are you asking on the SFO/LAX-JFK flights? or LAX-BOS or LAX-MIA (non-wide-body) flights? I would assume the plating would be done differently on the premium transcon flights v other flights.
Yeah, jcatman advised MarioRossi to go with the AVML on premium 3-class flagship Transcon JFK-LAX F. I was curious whether the premium flagship F "special meals" might be "better" in some way (other than plating) than other flights that offer special meals (such as CLT-PHX).
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