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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
Aug 1, 2018, 11:08 am
#661
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: UK
Programs: BA GfL & GGL, FB Platinum, MB Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,402
They expanded the options in June 2017 for international / premium transcon / 2200 mile+ flights and then on Jan 10 2018 rolled several of these options out to domestic short or medium haul flights. I've enjoyed the AVML/Hindu meals on many domestic flights this year.
American Expands Special Meal Program to Domestic Flights The Forward Cabin
American Expands Special Meal Program to Domestic Flights The Forward Cabin
Aug 3, 2018, 8:55 am
#662
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
AA Flight 682
PHX-ORD
A321
Seats 2A-C
Aug 02, 2018
Right off the bat, you could tell this was going to be an excellent flight when the FA came around to get the PDB she used your name.
PDB x 2
I ordered the Asian meal for Breakfast
EXCELLENT meal Now too sure if this was really an Asain meal but more a Hindu meal but loved it, the light green veggie was spicey, the spinach (dark green veg) wasn't spicy but flavorful and the samosa was filled with potato Rice lots of flavors was served with Nan bread. FA was great when she served the meal she said it smells wonderful and it did. The passenger next to me asked how I got this and told him.
What was offered to everyone else was continental Breakfast or "Biscuit and eggs" Hubby got the "Biscuit and eggs"
He said it was OK...
AA Flight 2302
ORD-LGA
737-800 w/ seatback monitors
Seat 4A-B
Rolling delays as all flights out of and to NYC and DC had a ground stop, was to have left at 130p but pushed back from the gate at 4 pm. They boarded us then unboarded us. The FC FA was FANTASTIC.. I should say I gave an A&B to both FC FA
Once on our way, multi PDB to us,
once in the air the FA worked her butt off.
Lunch
I ordered a Kosher meal
Drinks and Nuts, but hubby and I passed on the nuts
OK, this meal was just OK, the purple cabbage carrot combo was vile, as well as the other dish under it, just plain vile... Hubby ate the dessert and said it was OK, but the brisket was good and tender, the veggies cooked to death and the couscous was good.
Veggie lasagna or Greek Chicken was the meals served. Hubby didn't want his meal he ate in the AC.
Dessert was either Choc chip cookie OR Snickerdoodle. Not many wanted them, we got one each.
This FA (based in NY) worked this flight, always in the aisle, very engaging with the passengers, our IFE did not work, she comped us 5K miles each,
Our return is LGA-CLT (refreshment) and CLT-PHX (Dinner- Muslim)
PHX-ORD
A321
Seats 2A-C
Aug 02, 2018
Right off the bat, you could tell this was going to be an excellent flight when the FA came around to get the PDB she used your name.
PDB x 2
I ordered the Asian meal for Breakfast
EXCELLENT meal Now too sure if this was really an Asain meal but more a Hindu meal but loved it, the light green veggie was spicey, the spinach (dark green veg) wasn't spicy but flavorful and the samosa was filled with potato Rice lots of flavors was served with Nan bread. FA was great when she served the meal she said it smells wonderful and it did. The passenger next to me asked how I got this and told him.
What was offered to everyone else was continental Breakfast or "Biscuit and eggs" Hubby got the "Biscuit and eggs"
He said it was OK...
AA Flight 2302
ORD-LGA
737-800 w/ seatback monitors
Seat 4A-B
Rolling delays as all flights out of and to NYC and DC had a ground stop, was to have left at 130p but pushed back from the gate at 4 pm. They boarded us then unboarded us. The FC FA was FANTASTIC.. I should say I gave an A&B to both FC FA
Once on our way, multi PDB to us,
once in the air the FA worked her butt off.
Lunch
I ordered a Kosher meal
Drinks and Nuts, but hubby and I passed on the nuts
OK, this meal was just OK, the purple cabbage carrot combo was vile, as well as the other dish under it, just plain vile... Hubby ate the dessert and said it was OK, but the brisket was good and tender, the veggies cooked to death and the couscous was good.
Veggie lasagna or Greek Chicken was the meals served. Hubby didn't want his meal he ate in the AC.
Dessert was either Choc chip cookie OR Snickerdoodle. Not many wanted them, we got one each.
This FA (based in NY) worked this flight, always in the aisle, very engaging with the passengers, our IFE did not work, she comped us 5K miles each,
Our return is LGA-CLT (refreshment) and CLT-PHX (Dinner- Muslim)
Aug 4, 2018, 2:12 am
#664
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,770
AA1588/16JUL
PHX-EWR
B737-800
Dinner
Full-bar PDB
Hot towels after takeoff
Warmed mixed nuts and beverages offered prior to dinner
Choice of grilled chicken with haricots vert or burrata-stuffed ravioli with a choice of warm multigrain sticks, sourdough bread or cheese rolls
Dessert of pre-made Oreo and caramel sundae
Pre-order acknowledged
Mints prior to landing
PHX-EWR
B737-800
Dinner
Full-bar PDB
Hot towels after takeoff
Warmed mixed nuts and beverages offered prior to dinner
Choice of grilled chicken with haricots vert or burrata-stuffed ravioli with a choice of warm multigrain sticks, sourdough bread or cheese rolls
Dessert of pre-made Oreo and caramel sundae
Pre-order acknowledged
Mints prior to landing
Aug 4, 2018, 11:45 am
#665
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
Having tried the various meals, do you think it is safe to conclude that Asian Veg = Hindu = Muslim, at least for, say, domestic non-TCONs? If so, then no reason not to order Asian Veg if you don't want to be labeled a Muslim or Hindu!
Aug 4, 2018, 7:43 pm
#666
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: San Francisco area
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott T
Posts: 455
JFK-SFO F Dinner
On a relative airplane food rating, this steak was 8/10, right temperature on inside and not dry, the sides and sauce were very flavorful. On thing AA should change is the sundae, has not changed in 15+ years that I have been flying with them. 
Aug 4, 2018, 9:34 pm
#667
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,417
Aug 4, 2018, 9:54 pm
#668
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
I sure hope that isn't the future of "biscuits" on AA... that looks more like a matzah cracker!
Having tried the various meals, do you think it is safe to conclude that Asian Veg = Hindu = Muslim, at least for, say, domestic non-TCONs? If so, then no reason not to order Asian Veg if you don't want to be labeled a Muslim or Hindu!
Having tried the various meals, do you think it is safe to conclude that Asian Veg = Hindu = Muslim, at least for, say, domestic non-TCONs? If so, then no reason not to order Asian Veg if you don't want to be labeled a Muslim or Hindu!
Looks to be miscatered...appears to be their normal warm “flatbread” option. Biscuits and gravy should should more like the picture in this post: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30034987-post657.html
Last edited by JY1024; Aug 4, 2018 at 10:19 pm Reason: Merged consecutive posts
Aug 5, 2018, 12:37 pm
#669
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 255
AA Flight 1169
YYZ-DFW
MD-80
Seats 4A
July 11, 2018
Aug 5, 2018, 12:46 pm
#670
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 255
AA Flight 243
JFK-MIA
767-300
Seats 8A
Aug 3, 2018
Pre-departure beverage was offered. Then, received superb service from my flight attendant, Tammie. Very friendly, clearly loved her job. Made rounds chatting with customers and constantly checking to see if anyone needed anything. Unfortunately, I did not have any recognition certificates with me but I will be reaching out to the twitter team to commend her. I usually do not get any service from AA to write (positive) things about but in this case, I definitely did.
During the first beverage service, I told my awesome flight attendant, Tammie, that I liked mixed nuts so she gave me two.
Then, she asked if I wanted more and came back with an entire cup. God bless her!
The infamous chicken meatballs were edible. I did not even bother with the polenta.
JFK-MIA
767-300
Seats 8A
Aug 3, 2018
Pre-departure beverage was offered. Then, received superb service from my flight attendant, Tammie. Very friendly, clearly loved her job. Made rounds chatting with customers and constantly checking to see if anyone needed anything. Unfortunately, I did not have any recognition certificates with me but I will be reaching out to the twitter team to commend her. I usually do not get any service from AA to write (positive) things about but in this case, I definitely did.
During the first beverage service, I told my awesome flight attendant, Tammie, that I liked mixed nuts so she gave me two.
Then, she asked if I wanted more and came back with an entire cup. God bless her!
The infamous chicken meatballs were edible. I did not even bother with the polenta.
Aug 5, 2018, 2:28 pm
#671
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
Aug 5, 2018, 3:49 pm
#672
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: San Francisco area
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott T
Posts: 455
Exactly. We need a full renaissance or AA inflight food.
Aug 5, 2018, 4:07 pm
#673
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,440
I generally like the sundaes, but it would be nice if the rotated various toppings from time to time. I really enjoyed the sundae to/from KOA, where they had Hawaiian-themed toppings like chocolate-covered macadamias, coconut-pineapple syrup, etc.
Aug 5, 2018, 4:29 pm
#674
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,005
I’m really surprised Parker hasn’t brought bank the hot pockets.
Aug 5, 2018, 11:05 pm
#675
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,210