Jan 2, 2019, 10:33 am
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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
Jun 7, 2019, 1:05 am
#511
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Mileage Plus, AAdvantage
Posts: 424
AVML is of course always vegetarian.
Hindu meal is almost always vegetarian but you can look upthread for SFO777's post where, on a flagship F flight, the Hindu meal was a chicken curry. (Unfortunately I tried ordering a Hindu meal on a similar flight and was not so lucky!)
There have been no reports at all of a non-vegetarian Hindu meal on a plain-jane domestic first class flight like SJC-ORD, so I would feel comfortable ordering that and expecting a vegetarian meal even though by rule it doesn't have to be. (Also I would fully expect to get the same meal as AVML as long as it's lunch or dinner -- I was the unfortunate recipient of some bland AVML breakfasts but haven't seen any reports of bland AVML lunches or dinners.)
Hindu meal is almost always vegetarian but you can look upthread for SFO777's post where, on a flagship F flight, the Hindu meal was a chicken curry. (Unfortunately I tried ordering a Hindu meal on a similar flight and was not so lucky!)
There have been no reports at all of a non-vegetarian Hindu meal on a plain-jane domestic first class flight like SJC-ORD, so I would feel comfortable ordering that and expecting a vegetarian meal even though by rule it doesn't have to be. (Also I would fully expect to get the same meal as AVML as long as it's lunch or dinner -- I was the unfortunate recipient of some bland AVML breakfasts but haven't seen any reports of bland AVML lunches or dinners.)
I have never seen any meat/fish in a AVML, although of lately the quality of these meals has been degraded significantly, now you are going to be served warmed up meals which are below supermarket frozen aisle quality levels. Last year these meals were freshly cooked, not anymore.
Hindu meal SJC-ORD June 1st 2019
Okra was not good, very soggy and kind of bland. However loved the spinach-paneer. It was quite tasty. Samosa too was a bit soggy (it is supposed to be crispy) but still tasty. And dessert (gulab jamun) was pretty good too. Overall I enjoyed the meal.
Jun 7, 2019, 2:48 pm
#512
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA
Programs: AS MVP 100K, UA PremEx-MM
Posts: 3,335
I'm traveling DEN-DFW-SBA tomorrow. DEN-DFW is at 5:00 a.m. (A321), DFW-SBA is at 8:50 a.m. (CR9). Assuming snack basket on the first leg, then a cold breakfast on the second. Correct?
Jun 7, 2019, 2:53 pm
#513
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Jun 7, 2019, 5:14 pm
#514
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
Sure can! Cold plated snack on DEN-DFW!
Jun 7, 2019, 5:39 pm
#515
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
If they'd start offering gulab jamun with standard meals I'd be ecstatic...would take that over cookies and ice cream any day, even if they're from a can!
P.S. was that foil used to cover something or did it have naan in it?
Jun 7, 2019, 5:53 pm
#516
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
Thanks for the inputs. Took the flight on June 1st and as expected Hindu meal was Indian veg -
Hindu meal SJC-ORD June 1st 2019
Okra was not good, very soggy and kind of bland. However loved the spinach-paneer. It was quite tasty. Samosa too was a bit soggy (it is supposed to be crispy) but still tasty. And dessert (gulab jamun) was pretty good too. Overall I enjoyed the meal.
Hindu meal SJC-ORD June 1st 2019
Okra was not good, very soggy and kind of bland. However loved the spinach-paneer. It was quite tasty. Samosa too was a bit soggy (it is supposed to be crispy) but still tasty. And dessert (gulab jamun) was pretty good too. Overall I enjoyed the meal.
Jun 7, 2019, 6:48 pm
#517
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: LAX
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Alitalia Freccia Alata
Posts: 213
Next week I’m flying BUR-DFW (AA 2599, operated by a 738), departing 8am and the service states “breakfast”. I cannot select a meal (it brings up an error page) so I contacted the Twitter team, who reported this flight only offers a cold continental breakfast. Is that correct? That’s rather disappointing if so.
Jun 7, 2019, 6:50 pm
#518
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: DFW
Posts: 270
Next week I’m flying BUR-DFW (AA 2599, operated by a 738), departing 8am and the service states “breakfast”. I cannot select a meal (it brings up an error page) so I contacted the Twitter team, who reported this flight only offers a cold continental breakfast. Is that correct? That’s rather disappointing if so.
Jun 7, 2019, 8:41 pm
#519
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: 6,675
Foil thing is "naan" aka tough chewy pita bread.
Jun 8, 2019, 11:39 pm
#520
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 1
MIA -> AUS departing 2PM (4565 Operated by Republic Airways as American Eagle). I realize this is outside the meal window but does anyone know if I will get any food at all? Lite Bites?
Jun 9, 2019, 3:26 am
#521
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
On my Republic flights out of the meal window on Eagle, I've been offered the snack basket. YMMV.
Jun 10, 2019, 2:48 am
#522
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: STL/ORD/MCI/SAN
Programs: AA CK MM, AC SE100K, BA Gold, UA 1K, DL Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,989
ANC-DFW
June 2019
2015 - 0526 (6h11m)
Dinner
787-800
Nice to see a widebody on this route, and nice to see a post-8pm full dinner service, as well, even if it's just a standard midcon dinner menu (no route-specific meals for Alaska, like AA does for Hawaii).
Boarded from 2L, turned left, and was offered a PDB of choice quickly after taking my seat (I did not see the usual OJ/mimosa/champagne tray going around at all -- it appeared everyone's open bar PDB order was taken individually).
Post-takeoff drink and meal orders were taken while still at the gate, and drink service began promptly after leveling off from a young, seemingly enthusiastic crew.
Those ordering spirits all received an extra mini on the side with the initial drink service, and warm nuts were provided.
I've had the following menu way too many times by now. The chili/polenta is definitely the better of the two warm options, IMO.
Grilled Chicken
with shitake mushroom sauce and twice baked potato
Vegetarian Chili (pictured below)
with roasted garlic polenta cake
Fruit and Cheese Plate (available by pre-order only)
fresh grapes and strawberry with assorted cheeses
Zoes Kitchen Charcuterie Plate (available by pre-order only)
prosciutto, salami, mozzarella, spicy olives and dried cherry tomatoes; served with hummus, crudites, and pita rounds
And the final thing to note about the dinner service is that both made-to-order ice cream sundaes and fruit/cheese plates were available, presumably because the flight meets the mileage threshold for AA's full dessert service. Unlike many FAs that come through with the cart for dessert service, orders were taken at the seat, and then the FA returned with hand-delivered sundaes or fruit/cheese plates.
The 787 windows were all dimmed shortly after dessert was served, as there was still quite a bit of light outside (it was around 2230 Alaska time by then).
Overall, this was a reasonably well done meal service, and AA clearly offers the best current product to/from Alaska with the 787, particularly with dinner and lie flat seats on the ANC-DFW redeye.
June 2019
2015 - 0526 (6h11m)
Dinner
787-800
Nice to see a widebody on this route, and nice to see a post-8pm full dinner service, as well, even if it's just a standard midcon dinner menu (no route-specific meals for Alaska, like AA does for Hawaii).
Boarded from 2L, turned left, and was offered a PDB of choice quickly after taking my seat (I did not see the usual OJ/mimosa/champagne tray going around at all -- it appeared everyone's open bar PDB order was taken individually).
Post-takeoff drink and meal orders were taken while still at the gate, and drink service began promptly after leveling off from a young, seemingly enthusiastic crew.
Those ordering spirits all received an extra mini on the side with the initial drink service, and warm nuts were provided.
I've had the following menu way too many times by now. The chili/polenta is definitely the better of the two warm options, IMO.
Grilled Chicken
with shitake mushroom sauce and twice baked potato
Vegetarian Chili (pictured below)
with roasted garlic polenta cake
Fruit and Cheese Plate (available by pre-order only)
fresh grapes and strawberry with assorted cheeses
Zoes Kitchen Charcuterie Plate (available by pre-order only)
prosciutto, salami, mozzarella, spicy olives and dried cherry tomatoes; served with hummus, crudites, and pita rounds
And the final thing to note about the dinner service is that both made-to-order ice cream sundaes and fruit/cheese plates were available, presumably because the flight meets the mileage threshold for AA's full dessert service. Unlike many FAs that come through with the cart for dessert service, orders were taken at the seat, and then the FA returned with hand-delivered sundaes or fruit/cheese plates.
The 787 windows were all dimmed shortly after dessert was served, as there was still quite a bit of light outside (it was around 2230 Alaska time by then).
Overall, this was a reasonably well done meal service, and AA clearly offers the best current product to/from Alaska with the 787, particularly with dinner and lie flat seats on the ANC-DFW redeye.
Jun 11, 2019, 9:27 am
#523
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA
Programs: AS MVP 100K, UA PremEx-MM
Posts: 3,335
AA1067 DEN-DFW
5:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
A321S
Snack (Breakfast)
There was indeed food served instead of a snack basket. Coffee to start at 4:30 a.m.
The snack was a choice of a turkey/Swiss croissant (served with a banana) or fruit and yogurt. Tasty enough and a good amount of food for our 1:27 in the air.
5:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
A321S
Snack (Breakfast)
There was indeed food served instead of a snack basket. Coffee to start at 4:30 a.m.
The snack was a choice of a turkey/Swiss croissant (served with a banana) or fruit and yogurt. Tasty enough and a good amount of food for our 1:27 in the air.
Jun 11, 2019, 9:41 am
#524
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA
Programs: AS MVP 100K, UA PremEx-MM
Posts: 3,335
AA5962 (Mesa) DFW-SBA
8:50 a.m. - 10:09 a.m.
CR9
Lunch
I was expecting another breakfast, but (cold) nuts were served (with coffee - like people drink with breakast!) . . .
. . . followed by lunch, a choice of a Chinese chicken salad or a turkey wrap. Lettuce, cabbage, mango, red pepper and sesame seeds, served with sesame oriental dressing, flatbread crackers and a small slice of chocolate-cream pie.
Once I incorporated the chicken/dressing it was quite tasty. Not sure if this was a catering error or if the SBA-DFW lunch was served instead (this flight is double-catered in DFW), but I enjoyed the meal.
8:50 a.m. - 10:09 a.m.
CR9
Lunch
I was expecting another breakfast, but (cold) nuts were served (with coffee - like people drink with breakast!) . . .
. . . followed by lunch, a choice of a Chinese chicken salad or a turkey wrap. Lettuce, cabbage, mango, red pepper and sesame seeds, served with sesame oriental dressing, flatbread crackers and a small slice of chocolate-cream pie.
Once I incorporated the chicken/dressing it was quite tasty. Not sure if this was a catering error or if the SBA-DFW lunch was served instead (this flight is double-catered in DFW), but I enjoyed the meal.
Jun 11, 2019, 9:55 am
#525
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Gold (prev. Ex Plat for 10 years); DL Plat; UA Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,339
AA5962 (Mesa) DFW-SBA
8:50 a.m. - 10:09 a.m.
CR9
Lunch
I was expecting another breakfast, but (cold) nuts were served (with coffee - like people drink with breakast!) . . .
. . . followed by lunch, a choice of a Chinese chicken salad or a turkey wrap. Lettuce, cabbage, mango, red pepper and sesame seeds, served with sesame oriental dressing, flatbread crackers and a small slice of chocolate-cream pie.
Once I incorporated the chicken/dressing it was quite tasty. Not sure if this was a catering error or if the SBA-DFW lunch was served instead (this flight is double-catered in DFW), but I enjoyed the meal.
8:50 a.m. - 10:09 a.m.
CR9
Lunch
I was expecting another breakfast, but (cold) nuts were served (with coffee - like people drink with breakast!) . . .
. . . followed by lunch, a choice of a Chinese chicken salad or a turkey wrap. Lettuce, cabbage, mango, red pepper and sesame seeds, served with sesame oriental dressing, flatbread crackers and a small slice of chocolate-cream pie.
Once I incorporated the chicken/dressing it was quite tasty. Not sure if this was a catering error or if the SBA-DFW lunch was served instead (this flight is double-catered in DFW), but I enjoyed the meal.