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

Old Jan 1, 2018, 1:30 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)

Old Dec 3, 2018, 1:28 pm
  #1036  
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Had the mezze meal today (other choice was cheese enchiladas). Chicken was moist. I liked the cucumber salad and the dolmades. The quinoa was unnecessary and blah. It would’ve been nice to have something to dip into the hummus. I would get the meal again as it was actually too much food, even without the blah quinoa.
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Old Dec 3, 2018, 2:24 pm
  #1037  
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LGA-ORD
Lunch
LAA 738 AVOD

PDB of choice

Cheese enchiladas (smelled good) or the mezze plate with chicken.

No photo today but it was the same as my prior DBML meal between NYC-ORD (photo upthread). It was a semi spicy chicken breast with mashed potatoes with corn mixed in. Side of fruit and a salad.

WiFi INOP most of the flight to the dismay of many in FC, even with a reboot which stopped everyone's movies. I can live without WiFi for 1H50 mins, but apparently lots of others today couldn't and slowed down an already slow FA/service with their requests for reboots and complaints about it not working

Extremely slow slow service once in the air (doesn't go well with the short flight time)......must have been a semi new hire working in FC as he needed help the entire flight from another FA wearing their LAA old uniform. We were already starting initial descent as the meals came out.

I did get to see the full movie though (thanks to starting it right after the safety video): Crazy, Rich Asians which was entertaining
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Old Dec 3, 2018, 5:23 pm
  #1038  
 
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Originally Posted by wrp96
Had the mezze meal today (other choice was cheese enchiladas). Chicken was moist. I liked the cucumber salad and the dolmades. The quinoa was unnecessary and blah. It would’ve been nice to have something to dip into the hummus. I would get the meal again as it was actually too much food, even without the blah quinoa.
Dip the dolmades into the hummus. Trick I learned using my Priority Pass credit at Bobby Van's JFK. Surprisingly tasty.
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Old Dec 4, 2018, 8:22 pm
  #1039  
 
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CUN meals are generally catered locally and have never been that great. One of the few places that rarely comes close to meeting meal specs. Eating in the terminal is almost always a better plan.
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Old Dec 4, 2018, 9:14 pm
  #1040  
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Originally Posted by F&B767
CUN meals are generally catered locally and have never been that great. One of the few places that rarely comes close to meeting meal specs. Eating in the terminal is almost always a better plan.
Wonderul considering this is AAs new “hub”. LOL if you know what I’m referring to (that weird article).
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Old Dec 4, 2018, 9:17 pm
  #1041  
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Originally Posted by F&B767
CUN meals are generally catered locally and have never been that great. One of the few places that rarely comes close to meeting meal specs. Eating in the terminal is almost always a better plan.
That's surprising, because the catering out of MEX is some of the best in the AA system.
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Old Dec 4, 2018, 9:50 pm
  #1042  
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
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Originally Posted by F&B767
CUN meals are generally catered locally and have never been that great. One of the few places that rarely comes close to meeting meal specs. Eating in the terminal is almost always a better plan.
I've always had the opposite experience, finding that CUN catering is some of the best in the system.
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Old Dec 5, 2018, 8:21 am
  #1043  
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
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Originally Posted by FlightNurse
Just get there early enough as there is always a long wait.
That's what the app is for! Works like a charm, don't know how I'd survive ORD without it.
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Old Dec 5, 2018, 6:05 pm
  #1044  
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ORD-LGA
738 W/ AVOD (got to see the whole movie "Searching" and highly recommend it)
MCE (full PDB seen in FC though)

Sad to see the hummus option is no longer on these shorter flights. The FA's were equally as confused because the menu isn't very clear about what's available on shorter versus longer distances. FA came back to me to confirm that the Zoes hummus is now only available on the longer 3 hour + flights like the fresh meals

Settled for the Power Bites box. The Korean BBQ beef jerky was actually pretty good.

Can't complain about this spread for an hour and 30 minute flight. Amazing FA in the back too with us too. I got a huge slice of lime.



How did AA know I was coming back home to NYC?
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Old Dec 5, 2018, 10:03 pm
  #1045  
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LAX-JFK
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9:00pm-4:25 +1 actual
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An all too short 4h 11m flight time tonight but I still slept like a baby for 3 hours. As I had sampled a few things in Flagship Dining, I took this for a taste test and the photo op. Service was excellent. The chicken was tasty but the Baby Beet and Goat Cheese salad was absolutely tasteless.










No dressing and totally tasteless.





Just before landing.

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Old Dec 9, 2018, 5:21 pm
  #1046  
 
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Jan 2nd 2019 LAX-OGG AA 253

Choices:
Chicken Sliders with roasted pineapple and teriyaki mayo

Waffles with mixed berry compote, syrup


The sliders seem different than the ones from a year ago, pineapple and teriyaki mayo?

Traveling with the Mrs so just going to do one of each and see which is actually OK
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Old Dec 11, 2018, 5:59 am
  #1047  
 
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AA 1198
ORD -> BOS
B738 with seat back IFE ^

Pre-ordered the Hindu Vegetarian meal and I have to say, this one of the best meals in terms of taste I've had possible this year (to include International J). Not kidding.

No PDB of course, but Pre-Order acknowledged by this NY based crew with the FA saying: "Um, Mr [CHOPCHOP767] you pre-ordered, the ummm, the ummm Hindu ummm Vegetarian Meal?" Definitely doesn't see that often. LOL. Service was fine in flight with single FA working F although service was a bit slow. Sat in the last row, so only had about 35 minutes until landing to eat. FA did hit all of the service elements, drink with nuts, meal, post meal cookie (snicker-doodle or chocolate).

From here on out, special meal selection is the way to go. Very very pleased with this one.

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Old Dec 11, 2018, 6:16 am
  #1048  
 
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Originally Posted by CHOPCHOP767
AA 1198
Pre-ordered the Hindu Vegetarian meal and I have to say, this one of the best meals in terms of taste I've had possible this year (to include International J). Not kidding.
Is the Hindu Vegetarian dairy-free?
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Old Dec 11, 2018, 8:28 am
  #1049  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Originally Posted by CHOPCHOP767
Seeing some new items/variations on BOS/ORD flights in December:
  • Grilled Chicken Grilled Chicken selected for CHOPCHOP767 for ORD to BOS with lemon artichoke risotto, asparagus and herbed butter
  • Lasagnette Lasagnette selected for CHOPCHOP767 for ORD to BOS with shitake mushroom and fava bean ragu
  • AVAILABLE BY PRE-ORDER ONLY - Fruit and Cheese Plate AVAILABLE BY PRE-ORDER ONLY - Fruit and Cheese Plate selected for CHOPCHOP767 for ORD to BOS fresh grapes and dried fruit with assorted cheeses
These are my choices PHL to SFO. What is the Lasagnette like? I am trying to figure out if the lasagnette has the mushrooms and fava beans in it, or are those sides?
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Old Dec 11, 2018, 7:09 pm
  #1050  
 
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Originally Posted by spycygrl
Is the Hindu Vegetarian dairy-free?
One would hope so and I didn't taste anything that struck me as violative of lacto-vegetarian. AA is very good with the dietary restriction at least IME with this meal and with the kosher options.
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