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

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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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

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Old Sep 21, 2018, 8:18 pm
  #811  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
AA 1287
BOS to ORD
Lunch

Service was accomplished via the cart, which seems to be the norm on my BOS to ORD routings. Pre-selection choice of stuffed Poblano was acknowledged after crew came through with initial beverage orders and nuts. I did try the Fat Tire Belgian Blonde, definitely not a fan. I should have known that N. Carolina and Colorado wouldn't be able to produce a Chimay or Duvel equivalent. But I digress, service from the more seasoned crew was very nice for a lunch hour flight on a Friday. From the cart, offers of wine with lunch or water. Frequent refill offers as well. Cookies served after trays were cleared as were pre-arrival mints. AAplause cert given. And yes, I still love the stuffed pepper, lol. It's consistently very good whereas AA's former staple of many years, the "lobster" mac n' cheese with steak was wildly inconsistent.

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Old Sep 24, 2018, 2:28 pm
  #812  
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New BOB options coming to main cabin: https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/...hoo&yptr=yahoo
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Old Sep 25, 2018, 6:13 am
  #813  
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: CMH
Programs: BA Gold, AA Plat, NK $9 fare club
Posts: 666
Originally Posted by CHOPCHOP767
AA 1287
BOS to ORD

I still love the stuffed pepper, lol. It's consistently very good whereas AA's former staple of many years, the "lobster" mac n' cheese with steak was wildly inconsistent.
Had it on DCA - ORD just the other day for lunch. I always enjoy the stuffed peppers. My flight had the same salad as you, too. Flavorful meal that makes the flight go quick...
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Old Sep 25, 2018, 1:02 pm
  #814  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,158
[QUOTE=kmersh;30225098]
Originally Posted by TheFlyGuy1992
[left]

Well if they are following UNITED's move, than these lite bights are the equivalent of UNITED's snack (which are offered on flight upto three hours for Breakfast and Lunch) and over at the UA forums, they would say that you have been snacked.
Doubt it. PHX-MCI, which is 2.5 hours, still shows meals during mealtime in November (test booking). So, I think the Lite Bites offerings are only for non-meal flights that are 3+ hours. I could be wrong, though.
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Old Sep 25, 2018, 2:44 pm
  #815  
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Empire State
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum; Marriott Platinum
Posts: 461
[quote=MrAndy1369;30244503]
Originally Posted by kmersh

Doubt it. PHX-MCI, which is 2.5 hours, still shows meals during mealtime in November (test booking). So, I think the Lite Bites offerings are only for non-meal flights that are 3+ hours. I could be wrong, though.
Agreed - no indication that AA's meals are being snacked. In fact, here's a recent update to the meal windows/offerings:

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Old Sep 25, 2018, 6:47 pm
  #816  
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: AA Plat, National EE, Marriott Plat, HH Gold, SPG Plat
Posts: 401
any more data points on DBML? Have chicken meatballs or poblano peppers on PHX to YVR, thinking of trying DBML
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Old Sep 25, 2018, 7:55 pm
  #817  
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 45
[QUOTE=MrAndy1369;30244503]
Originally Posted by kmersh

Doubt it. PHX-MCI, which is 2.5 hours, still shows meals during mealtime in November (test booking). So, I think the Lite Bites offerings are only for non-meal flights that are 3+ hours. I could be wrong, though.
My parents were just on a refreshment flight between ORD and DEN (which is less than 3 hours) and they were offered a choice of light bites. So perhaps these aren’t only for 3 plus hour flights? I’m a bit confused tbh.

Last edited by TheFlyGuy1992; Sep 25, 2018 at 9:52 pm
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Old Sep 25, 2018, 9:39 pm
  #818  
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA ExP, Marriott Amb, National EAE, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat (RIP), US CP (RIP)
Posts: 2,379


AA1636
CLT to DEN
Dinner -DBML

Two proteins again... both chicken. Cold chicken was herb marinated over a couscous salad. (Excellent) Heated dish with carrots and polenta... chicken a bit spicy and also dry.



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Old Sep 25, 2018, 9:53 pm
  #819  
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA ExP, Marriott Amb, National EAE, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat (RIP), US CP (RIP)
Posts: 2,379

AA 1743
DEN to CLT
Dinner - DBML

Only one protein for a change 🙁. Still haven’t figured out this chicken dish. Maybe tandoori but paired with polenta and carrots? This time served with an unidentifiable sauce. Looked like a chicken gravy, found capers in sauce but it was not piccata. Okay but weird entree. Chicken dry, carrots and polenta good. Foil is a heated white roll - not sure why the meal doesn’t come with a whole grain option.






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Old Sep 27, 2018, 5:30 am
  #820  
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Platinum, Admirals Club Member, HHonors
Posts: 77
For my upcoming JFK-LAX, does anyone have any experience with the cod? Seems like a good choice, on its face.

Also, are the special options (particularly Hindu) anything special in FF?
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Old Sep 27, 2018, 6:09 am
  #821  
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Originally Posted by kahdgar
For my upcoming JFK-LAX, does anyone have any experience with the cod? Seems like a good choice, on its face.

Also, are the special options (particularly Hindu) anything special in FF?
Finally a new menu on these premium transcons! Thank You baby Jesus!
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Old Sep 27, 2018, 8:39 am
  #822  
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 812
Recommendations for the below? Would prefer to have some meat in my meal, which is why I am hesitating. Would prefer the hot options, but there is no meat in them.



Last edited by shimps1; Sep 27, 2018 at 8:45 am
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Old Sep 27, 2018, 11:19 am
  #823  
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Go with the ricotta dish it’s pretty good.

off topic I am starting to reserve diabetic meals from the pics I am seeing on social media. They look so much better than the tired AVML option.
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Old Sep 27, 2018, 5:06 pm
  #824  
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: AA Plat, National EE, Marriott Plat, HH Gold, SPG Plat
Posts: 401
Originally Posted by AANYC1981
Go with the ricotta dish it’s pretty good.

off topic I am starting to reserve diabetic meals from the pics I am seeing on social media. They look so much better than the tired AVML option.

Having one out of PHX in T-3 hours...
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Old Sep 27, 2018, 5:11 pm
  #825  
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Originally Posted by kar don
Having one out of PHX in T-3 hours...
pics please!
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