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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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)
Apr 25, 2019, 4:08 am
#391
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
ORD-LGA
738
MCE, empty middle seat made it a nice flight
Proactively offered the free snack and we all got doubles if you ordered drinks. FC had jackets hung but no PDB at all.
FA's intentionally turned over the napkin ads and there were no credit card announcements. All very nice touches. One EXP/CK requested the nuts from FC and they were brought back in a plastic cup.
738
MCE, empty middle seat made it a nice flight
Proactively offered the free snack and we all got doubles if you ordered drinks. FC had jackets hung but no PDB at all.
FA's intentionally turned over the napkin ads and there were no credit card announcements. All very nice touches. One EXP/CK requested the nuts from FC and they were brought back in a plastic cup.
Apr 25, 2019, 8:26 am
#392
Join Date: Oct 2015
Programs: AA: EXP, 1MM Marriott: Ambassador, LTT
Posts: 407
Special Meals(SPML)- Diabetic(DBML), Asian Vegetarian(AVML), Hindu(HNML), Muslim(MOML), Gluten Free(GFML), Vegan(VGML)
-
-
- Above listed main pre-order meals from domestic stations will receive standardized and frozen pre-prepared meals. Meals will have a one year frozen shelf life
- Salads and appetizers are prepared fresh by the local caterer
- Steaks that have appeared for DBML meals will mostly switch to a pre-prepared chicken entree
- Asian Vegetarian (AVML), Hindu (HNML), Muslim (MOML) all receive the same meal. If not the pre-prepared meal, they're made to the same basic menu requirements
Apr 25, 2019, 8:31 am
#393
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: San Francisco area
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott T
Posts: 455
Is this already in place? I guess I will find out on DFW-SJC flt today. Well it was good while it lasted, going forward it's on to Zoe plate as go to meal.
Apr 25, 2019, 10:50 am
#394
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
ORD-LGA
738
MCE, empty middle seat made it a nice flight
Proactively offered the free snack and we all got doubles if you ordered drinks. FC had jackets hung but no PDB at all.
FA's intentionally turned over the napkin ads and there were no credit card announcements. All very nice touches. One EXP/CK requested the nuts from FC and they were brought back in a plastic cup.
738
MCE, empty middle seat made it a nice flight
Proactively offered the free snack and we all got doubles if you ordered drinks. FC had jackets hung but no PDB at all.
FA's intentionally turned over the napkin ads and there were no credit card announcements. All very nice touches. One EXP/CK requested the nuts from FC and they were brought back in a plastic cup.
Apr 25, 2019, 10:53 am
#395
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Apr 25, 2019, 1:40 pm
#396
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Dallas/Orlando
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 2,716
I had the diabetic meal today DFWPHL and it was chicken with roasted carrots and some sort of dense "mash" for lack of a better term. Obviously not potatoes but I am not intelligent enough to nail down the exact ingredients. The salad was the usual dark leafy greens with asparagus, carrots and tomatoes on top (which is in line with the above description). I had never seen this chicken before in a DBML, and it very well could have been the new standardized frozen variety. All in all, it was edible, and looked better than the non-special meal wrap my father had.
Apr 25, 2019, 2:20 pm
#397
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
Special Meals(SPML)- Diabetic(DBML), Asian Vegetarian(AVML), Hindu(HNML), Muslim(MOML), Gluten Free(GFML), Vegan(VGML)
-
-
- Above listed main pre-order meals from domestic stations will receive standardized and frozen pre-prepared meals. Meals will have a one year frozen shelf life
- Salads and appetizers are prepared fresh by the local caterer
- Steaks that have appeared for DBML meals will mostly switch to a pre-prepared chicken entree
- Asian Vegetarian (AVML), Hindu (HNML), Muslim (MOML) all receive the same meal. If not the pre-prepared meal, they're made to the same basic menu requirements
Apr 25, 2019, 2:40 pm
#398
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
DFW-DCA
4/22/19
6:59pm departure
Hindu meal was indeed the same as AVML as expected. Tasty as usual -- nice salad with the usual asparagus etc. I heated the butter and worked it into the rice, which made the meal exponentially better (picture was pre-butter). Lentils were oddly small but tasted normal. Mixed veggie curry of some sort was a little spicy and went very well with the rice.
Honestly the best part of the flight was gate to gate satellite wifi that was fast enough to stream the Stars game at full resolution ^
4/22/19
6:59pm departure
Hindu meal was indeed the same as AVML as expected. Tasty as usual -- nice salad with the usual asparagus etc. I heated the butter and worked it into the rice, which made the meal exponentially better (picture was pre-butter). Lentils were oddly small but tasted normal. Mixed veggie curry of some sort was a little spicy and went very well with the rice.
Apr 25, 2019, 5:47 pm
#399
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
I had the diabetic meal today DFWPHL and it was chicken with roasted carrots and some sort of dense "mash" for lack of a better term. Obviously not potatoes but I am not intelligent enough to nail down the exact ingredients. The salad was the usual dark leafy greens with asparagus, carrots and tomatoes on top (which is in line with the above description). I had never seen this chicken before in a DBML, and it very well could have been the new standardized frozen variety. All in all, it was edible, and looked better than the non-special meal wrap my father had.
Apr 25, 2019, 8:55 pm
#400
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Dallas, Texas
Programs: AA, Southwest, Hilton, Hyatt
Posts: 237
- redacted
Last edited by F&B767; Apr 25, 2019 at 10:03 pm
Apr 25, 2019, 9:15 pm
#401
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
lol really?! In that case: FOR SALE - Slightly used but overall in good condition
If calorie count or nutrition info is your concern there are other special meals to address that; AVML and others are not about nutrition but ingredients. Notice that not all special meals are getting this "enhancement" but only those that were called out by bloggers/FT as actually being good options as compared to the standard meals. Before the posts here and on other blogs about how much superior the AVML/DBML were compared to the standard offerings I very rarely saw people on my flights get special meals where the past year it was very common (and those that didn't usually asked about them...). I'd also point out that the bland, low sodium, low fat meals - which I could see an argument for having consistant known nutritional info for, didn't get the microwave dinner treatment...I can't see how this is anything but a way to reduce costs.
Maybe I've been unlucky but the salads of late have bee quite sad and "fresh" is not a word I'd often associate with the lettuce.
If calorie count or nutrition info is your concern there are other special meals to address that; AVML and others are not about nutrition but ingredients. Notice that not all special meals are getting this "enhancement" but only those that were called out by bloggers/FT as actually being good options as compared to the standard meals. Before the posts here and on other blogs about how much superior the AVML/DBML were compared to the standard offerings I very rarely saw people on my flights get special meals where the past year it was very common (and those that didn't usually asked about them...). I'd also point out that the bland, low sodium, low fat meals - which I could see an argument for having consistant known nutritional info for, didn't get the microwave dinner treatment...I can't see how this is anything but a way to reduce costs.
Salads and appetizers will still be freshly prepared by the local caterer, which in and of itself is usually a good meal.
Apr 25, 2019, 11:04 pm
#402
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: San Francisco area
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott T
Posts: 455
DFW-SJC F Hindu Meal
Mine looks exactly like Platbrownguy's meal above, so this must be the standard AVML/Hindu/Mislim meal for this month or going forward. Gotta tell you it was not bad, a tad little spicy but a good IPA with it would take care of that. No dairy in it BTW.
Apr 26, 2019, 2:45 am
#403
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Unio Europaea
Programs: BA GGL, AS, Hertz Cirque Présidentielle
Posts: 1,445
I decided to give the secret Hindu in me a go and opted for the Hindu meal on TPA-DFW next month, based on some posts in this thread. 
Looked liked a better option than the cold charcutterie plate. I don't want to sample the ravioli twice. The ravioli looked okay based on the pics here. I just can't have any more hummus, which is part of the preorder plate. Have had an OD of it with AA. Especially memorable when the veggies have been dry as heck. Veggie jerky?
Looked liked a better option than the cold charcutterie plate. I don't want to sample the ravioli twice. The ravioli looked okay based on the pics here. I just can't have any more hummus, which is part of the preorder plate. Have had an OD of it with AA. Especially memorable when the veggies have been dry as heck. Veggie jerky?
Apr 26, 2019, 7:43 am
#404
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 33
Flt: AA2574 STL to PHX Depart 7:20AM Arrive 9:00 AM
Cabin: Main Cabin Extra (Second Row)
Pre Ordered (was acknowledged and delivered):
Continental Breakfast: Waffle and Nutella. Totally disappointing! Waffle was crumbly and no plastic knife/wooden stick/anything was provided to spread the Nutella on the waffle. Made for a real mess.
Egg, cheese and fruit: Again, totally disappointing! Boiled egg, split in half was fresh. One wedge of cheese, 8 grapes and 3 small slices of apple. Almond butter, to be spread on a wafer-thing lacked a 'niche' to make opening easy, no plastic knife, wooden stick,anything to spread the almond butter.
Seemed strange and negligent to introduce a pre-ordered meal with no consideration to how it might be consumed. Will never purchase again; hardly a desired outcome for AA!
Cabin: Main Cabin Extra (Second Row)
Pre Ordered (was acknowledged and delivered):
Continental Breakfast: Waffle and Nutella. Totally disappointing! Waffle was crumbly and no plastic knife/wooden stick/anything was provided to spread the Nutella on the waffle. Made for a real mess.
Egg, cheese and fruit: Again, totally disappointing! Boiled egg, split in half was fresh. One wedge of cheese, 8 grapes and 3 small slices of apple. Almond butter, to be spread on a wafer-thing lacked a 'niche' to make opening easy, no plastic knife, wooden stick,anything to spread the almond butter.
Seemed strange and negligent to introduce a pre-ordered meal with no consideration to how it might be consumed. Will never purchase again; hardly a desired outcome for AA!
Apr 26, 2019, 3:05 pm
#405
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Dallas/Orlando
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 2,716