Last edit by: JDiver
AA/US Domestic Dining (including Canada, Mexico, & the Caribbean)
Link to Combined 2019 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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.
MrAndy1369 originated this thread. Other posts in this topic have been merged here, throwing his post to #4. For members’ easy reference, we have reproduced that guidepost in its entirety. /Moderators
[COLOR="Navy"]Welcome to the 2019 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.
What to Expect - Regional:
Keep in mind that this list is not entirely inclusive, and there may be certain exceptions and/or abnormalities.
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.
Additional Information:
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.
Thanks to MrAndy1369 for starting the thread and for the guidelines.
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Link to Combined 2019 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.
MrAndy1369 originated this thread. Other posts in this topic have been merged here, throwing his post to #4. For members’ easy reference, we have reproduced that guidepost in its entirety. /Moderators
Introduction
Welcome to the 2019 version of the combined AA meals thread, focusing on domestic service. Please post your meal/service experiences, including menus, photos, reports, questions, and service anecdotes.
To help give us a clear picture of your experience, remember to include the route, time, and meal designation (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, refreshments, none). Photos are welcome and very helpful. Those are rudimentary guidelines, but of course, the format/style is up to you.
Format Sample
This is a format you can use when introducing your meal report. This is just a sample format; deviations are expected.
AA1: JFK-LAX: 3pm
Dinner
A321
First Class, 2A
(from here, share the menu and/or experiences and/or photos)
Historical Meal Reports
Throwback mode? Go crazy!
Enjoy!
Welcome to the 2019 version of the combined AA meals thread, focusing on domestic service. Please post your meal/service experiences, including menus, photos, reports, questions, and service anecdotes.
To help give us a clear picture of your experience, remember to include the route, time, and meal designation (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, refreshments, none). Photos are welcome and very helpful. Those are rudimentary guidelines, but of course, the format/style is up to you.
Format Sample
This is a format you can use when introducing your meal report. This is just a sample format; deviations are expected.
AA1: JFK-LAX: 3pm
Dinner
A321
First Class, 2A
(from here, share the menu and/or experiences and/or photos)
Historical Meal Reports
Throwback mode? Go crazy!
- 2018 - link
- 2017 - 2017 Combined AA Domestic Meal / Meals - menu / photos / etc. (master thread)
- 2016 - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...er-thread.html
- 2015 - link
- 2014 (post-9/1 combined) - link
- 2014 (pre-9/1) - link
- 2013 - link
- 2012 - link
- 2011 - link
- 2010 - link
- 2009 (combined Domestic and International) - link
Enjoy!
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.
- At this time, pre-ordered meals are not available on American Eagle flights.
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.
Thanks to MrAndy1369 for starting the thread and for the guidelines.
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ARCHIVE: Combined 2019 AA Domestic Meal, Meals, menu / photos / etc. (master thread)
#421
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: PBI
Posts: 96
PHL-LAX
A330-200
Kosher Dinner
May 1, 2019
Oy. Diabetic Dinner on the manifest but catering delivered a Kosher Dinner. Apparently T-24 hours doesn't mean anything to catering in PHL. I changed my selection from Kosher to Diabetic nearly 40 hours before departure, but FA had to apologize that catering screwed up and couldn't or wouldn't deliver a Diabetic meal at that point. The food was bad enough (think 1970's TV dinners) but having to unwrap multiple layers of shrink wrap added insult to injury. On the other hand, it was better than my last AC experience where AC forgot to load any meals on a 5 hour LAX-YUL lunch flight. LOL on the double layer stacked meal tray. Fortunately I was in 1A on the 332, so I could place items on the bulkhead counter.
.
A330-200
Kosher Dinner
May 1, 2019
Oy. Diabetic Dinner on the manifest but catering delivered a Kosher Dinner. Apparently T-24 hours doesn't mean anything to catering in PHL. I changed my selection from Kosher to Diabetic nearly 40 hours before departure, but FA had to apologize that catering screwed up and couldn't or wouldn't deliver a Diabetic meal at that point. The food was bad enough (think 1970's TV dinners) but having to unwrap multiple layers of shrink wrap added insult to injury. On the other hand, it was better than my last AC experience where AC forgot to load any meals on a 5 hour LAX-YUL lunch flight. LOL on the double layer stacked meal tray. Fortunately I was in 1A on the 332, so I could place items on the bulkhead counter.
.
What is the brownish stuff in the 8th photo....?
#422
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,217
That meal looks pretty good to me, at least from the pictures. I've seen far worse on several flights.
Last edited by USFlyerUS; May 1, 2019 at 5:55 pm
#423
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
My guess was salmon, but it didn't taste like salmon or anything else I recognized for that matter.
I agree. It looked pretty good. But that's where it ended.
I agree. It looked pretty good. But that's where it ended.
#424
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: PBI
Posts: 96
Are any of these options decent? Its a 3 hour flight from FLL-ORD leaving around lunch time. I am not a fan of most food options in the FLL Terminal where American flies out of, so I thought a light bite on the plane would be a nice option.
Also, if I order now and decide onboard I don't want it or I am not hungry, will I be required to buy it? I don't mind doing so if I have to, but just curious about the policy.
Also, if I order now and decide onboard I don't want it or I am not hungry, will I be required to buy it? I don't mind doing so if I have to, but just curious about the policy.
#425
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Chillin on another LGA based E140!
#426
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: 6,674
Are any of these options decent? Its a 3 hour flight from FLL-ORD leaving around lunch time. I am not a fan of most food options in the FLL Terminal where American flies out of, so I thought a light bite on the plane would be a nice option.
Also, if I order now and decide onboard I don't want it or I am not hungry, will I be required to buy it? I don't mind doing so if I have to, but just curious about the policy.
Also, if I order now and decide onboard I don't want it or I am not hungry, will I be required to buy it? I don't mind doing so if I have to, but just curious about the policy.
I would go with the wrap; sandwiches on bread risk becoming soggy faster than wraps do, though it's a risk there too.
(I have been fortunate to clear all my upgrades recently but have selected the wrap for myself on flights when it looked like I might not make it.)
#427
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 579
The wrap and sandwich are reportedly decent and substantial. I am not a fan of the fruit/cheese because it's too close to "yellow and white cheese" rather than real cheese. The hummus thing is reportedly very small.
I would go with the wrap; sandwiches on bread risk becoming soggy faster than wraps do, though it's a risk there too.
I would go with the wrap; sandwiches on bread risk becoming soggy faster than wraps do, though it's a risk there too.
#429
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 11
Why isn’t Zoe’z charcuterie plate offered out of SJU? Only options for upcoming flight are braised short rib or southwest pasta. Neither of which sound appealing for a lunch flight...
#431
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
No issues with MCE in the exit row on the E140/E145 IME. This last flight I was rebooked rather late and got a normal, non-MCE seat on the A side and still had no issue getting a double at no charge. The Envoy FA's even have the same blue handhelds that mainline FA's have so they should be able to see MCE as an exit row etc.
#432
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA- EXP UA - Silver SPG- PLT Marriott- PLT
Posts: 759
The wrap and sandwich are reportedly decent and substantial. I am not a fan of the fruit/cheese because it's too close to "yellow and white cheese" rather than real cheese. The hummus thing is reportedly very small.
I would go with the wrap; sandwiches on bread risk becoming soggy faster than wraps do, though it's a risk there too.
(I have been fortunate to clear all my upgrades recently but have selected the wrap for myself on flights when it looked like I might not make it.)
I would go with the wrap; sandwiches on bread risk becoming soggy faster than wraps do, though it's a risk there too.
(I have been fortunate to clear all my upgrades recently but have selected the wrap for myself on flights when it looked like I might not make it.)
#433
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA EXP (LT Plat 2MM), Marriott Plat, IHG Plat, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Plat, SPG Plat75, UA1K
Posts: 1,248
AA333: ORD-FLL: 6:20pm
Dinner
First Class
Primary options: Grilled Beef Filet or Southwest Pasta. I ordered Asian Vegetarian and it was delicious. Filet that someone else got was rare – definitely not overcooked. It was questionably rare and possibly undercooked, although I only saw it from a distance. Bottom line – definitely not served ‘well done’ as I feared. My wife preordered the Southwest Pasta which was actually a lasagna when served. Although it doesn’t look great, she said it was actually really, really good, and wishes she could’ve taken the leftovers home! Also really impressed that they provided an ingredient card with the asian vegetarian tray. Nice touch.
Preordered "Southwest Pasta" but it came out as lasagna. Still delicious.
Asian Vegetarian
Asian Vegetarian ingredient card front
Asian Vegetarian ingredient card back
Dinner
First Class
Primary options: Grilled Beef Filet or Southwest Pasta. I ordered Asian Vegetarian and it was delicious. Filet that someone else got was rare – definitely not overcooked. It was questionably rare and possibly undercooked, although I only saw it from a distance. Bottom line – definitely not served ‘well done’ as I feared. My wife preordered the Southwest Pasta which was actually a lasagna when served. Although it doesn’t look great, she said it was actually really, really good, and wishes she could’ve taken the leftovers home! Also really impressed that they provided an ingredient card with the asian vegetarian tray. Nice touch.
Preordered "Southwest Pasta" but it came out as lasagna. Still delicious.
Asian Vegetarian
Asian Vegetarian ingredient card front
Asian Vegetarian ingredient card back
#434
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: ASE
Programs: UA 1MM, AA1MM PLTPRO, Hertz PC, National EXC, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,357
Last minute re-booking due to delays in EWR meant I was stuck in a coach middle seat. I got to sample the wrap (the turkey sandwich was sold out by the time the FA made it back to the exit row on the 737). The wrap was very tasty, and comes with dressing and a wrapped cookie.
#435
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: 6,674
Had the same issue last month. The catering out of SJU was better than normal though. See upthread for my post with a picture of the short rib and mac-and-cheese.