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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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.
[COLOR]
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.
[COLOR]
ARCHIVE: Combined 2019 AA Domestic Meal, Meals, menu / photos / etc. (master thread)
#571
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: STL/ORD/MCI/SAN
Programs: AA CK MM, AC SE100K, UA 1K, DL Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,985
#572
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,690
How do you know if flights in the 700-900 mile range receive the snack plate or just nuts/cookie? I'm on the afternoon GDL-DFW around 2pm and despite being around 900 miles, only shows beverages in business.
#573
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: PWM/KBXM/BGR; Work: DCA/DFW/Everywhere; Play: LAS/MUC/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, mlife Noir, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,630
Flights 900-1298 miles (including yours, which is 936) get Lite Bites instead of a full meal on departures between 1:31 and 4 p.m.
#574
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA ExP, Marriott Amb, National EAE, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat (RIP), US CP (RIP)
Posts: 2,372
Completely valid! That's why I responded with the reasons I did not like it (the ingredient & combination of such). For radishes, they didn't have much radish flavor to them, which contributed to the blandness. To each their own and I appreciate differences because if we're all the same the world would be boring.
#575
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: PBI
Posts: 95
That would make a lot of sense. I haven't knowingly eaten jicama so I don't know what it tastes like. It may very well have been that!
#576
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Nice quiet place in The Fla Keys
Programs: AA - My other choices are severely limited
Posts: 72
Just returned from LAS, on a 767 relic from 1993 no less, to MIA. Decided to explore the hamburger option.
Edible but not memorable. Obviously I survived the encounter. Would I order again? Only when desperation sets in.
BTW, the cabin crew was over the top this trip. I thought I entered the Twilight Zone.
Edible but not memorable. Obviously I survived the encounter. Would I order again? Only when desperation sets in.
BTW, the cabin crew was over the top this trip. I thought I entered the Twilight Zone.
Last edited by Nomorepretzels; Jul 8, 2019 at 9:48 am
#577
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 41
Does anyone have a link to nutrition facts on the first class domestic meals? Thanks in advance.
#578
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 78
6/28 DCA-XNA (#3494 - Envoy) - apologies for no pics, I never think of that. By the time FA got to me only option was a smoked salmon salad, which didn't sound great. Perhaps I'm confused about what smoked salmon is - I was expecting the kind of character you might find hanging out with a bagel - but what I got was just regular old salmon served with a salad. Presentation-wise the salmon had a slight air of cat food about it, but it really wasn't bad at all as these things go.
#579
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
Just returned from LAS, on a 767 relic from 1993 no less, to MIA. Decided to explore the hamburger option.
Edible but not memorable. Obviously I survived the encounter. Would I order again? Only when desperation sets in.
BTW, the cabin crew was over the top this trip. I thought I entered the Twilight Zone.
Edible but not memorable. Obviously I survived the encounter. Would I order again? Only when desperation sets in.
BTW, the cabin crew was over the top this trip. I thought I entered the Twilight Zone.
#580
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central Mass
Programs: Independent
Posts: 4,828
JFK-MIA, and the following day MIA-JFK, the 777 flight. Both had the same meal options, I choose the Short Rib both times, though mine came with mac and cheese and tiny green beans. Both were actually not that bad, same crew so maybe a good cook?
#581
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: DCA/CLT/HKG
Programs: AA EXP (Former US CP)
Posts: 726
Thanks for the thoughtful response, and bland I can definitely see... But I would think it would be less bland, personally, than if it had tomato and cucumber, which is what's sometimes implied a salad should have around here since that's "more traditional." Both grapes and radishes (and jicama which I often see AA's caterers use) are flavors that I like, and have a more interesting flavor and texture to me than cucumbers and tomatoes -- especially in combination with bibb lettuce.
Each of us is entitled to our preferences so I'm not trying to say my opinion is of any special value, but I think grapes add a nice brightness and sweetness that counter a radish's bitterness and crunch. More than anything though, I appreciate the diverse toppings among the different side salads. I'd much rather get a salad or two in the rotation that I don't like as much as others than get a cucumber and tomato-on-romaine on every single flight. Just my $.02.
Each of us is entitled to our preferences so I'm not trying to say my opinion is of any special value, but I think grapes add a nice brightness and sweetness that counter a radish's bitterness and crunch. More than anything though, I appreciate the diverse toppings among the different side salads. I'd much rather get a salad or two in the rotation that I don't like as much as others than get a cucumber and tomato-on-romaine on every single flight. Just my $.02.
My problem is that AA is trying very hard to be "trendy" when it comes to their catering while sticking to a barebones catering budget. They could likely serve up simpler, more traditional dishes at a greater quality and quantity for the same price they are spending now. A simple fresh green salad with a lettuce mix, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber probably costs the same or less as the "trendy" salad with grapes, and could probably be delivered in a greater quantity at the same price.
I have a similar gripe with AA's international catering. The idea of eating bulgogi-style beef on a LHR-USA flight is bizarre to me. It reminds me of when my undergrad cafeteria used to try really hard to cook up trendy dishes that overall tasted and looked disgusting. Moral of the story is that AA should just stick to the basics. I had no problem with the cuisine of both L-US and L-AA. It was generally simple, traditional, familiar foods.
#582
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: -1A or Cambridgeshire
Programs: BA Gold, VS, EK
Posts: 385
Anyone know what the Kosher lunchtime offering is out of DFW? Flying DFW-SMF.
Thanks
Thanks
#583
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 574
I don't have a problem with any of the ingredients, per say.
My problem is that AA is trying very hard to be "trendy" when it comes to their catering while sticking to a barebones catering budget. They could likely serve up simpler, more traditional dishes at a greater quality and quantity for the same price they are spending now. A simple fresh green salad with a lettuce mix, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber probably costs the same or less as the "trendy" salad with grapes, and could probably be delivered in a greater quantity at the same price.
I have a similar gripe with AA's international catering. The idea of eating bulgogi-style beef on a LHR-USA flight is bizarre to me. It reminds me of when my undergrad cafeteria used to try really hard to cook up trendy dishes that overall tasted and looked disgusting. Moral of the story is that AA should just stick to the basics. I had no problem with the cuisine of both L-US and L-AA. It was generally simple, traditional, familiar foods.
My problem is that AA is trying very hard to be "trendy" when it comes to their catering while sticking to a barebones catering budget. They could likely serve up simpler, more traditional dishes at a greater quality and quantity for the same price they are spending now. A simple fresh green salad with a lettuce mix, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber probably costs the same or less as the "trendy" salad with grapes, and could probably be delivered in a greater quantity at the same price.
I have a similar gripe with AA's international catering. The idea of eating bulgogi-style beef on a LHR-USA flight is bizarre to me. It reminds me of when my undergrad cafeteria used to try really hard to cook up trendy dishes that overall tasted and looked disgusting. Moral of the story is that AA should just stick to the basics. I had no problem with the cuisine of both L-US and L-AA. It was generally simple, traditional, familiar foods.
I disagree about the salads though... If I only had to eat the salad once a year, then the same lettuce with a mealy tomato and cucumber would be fine. But to have that on every flight, every meal, everywhere, every week like LAA (and for a while United) did is just exhausting. If it's really too much for someone to try something bold and crazy and eat something sweet or crunchy in their salad, they can pick it off, but the fact that AA offers a wide variety of salads with different ingredients is one of the things I LOVE about their catering program... And I take those few wins where I can get them lately, because there are plenty of things I don't love.
#584
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: San Francisco area
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott T
Posts: 455
DFW-SJC F Dinner
Looks like there are new entres?
I tried the falafel plate and it was surprisingly flavorful, fresh, overall good. Other option was beef short rib but with better sides than before, will try that next week.
BTW, on a related topic of first class monetization, the real driver seems to be I fares which get you F upgrade, they have been <$100 higher than lowest Y fare within couple of weeks of departure. I hardly see any day of departure UG on these flights now.
I tried the falafel plate and it was surprisingly flavorful, fresh, overall good. Other option was beef short rib but with better sides than before, will try that next week.
BTW, on a related topic of first class monetization, the real driver seems to be I fares which get you F upgrade, they have been <$100 higher than lowest Y fare within couple of weeks of departure. I hardly see any day of departure UG on these flights now.
Last edited by bdhaliwa; Jul 12, 2019 at 9:01 pm Reason: typo.
#585
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: STL/ORD/MCI/SAN
Programs: AA CK MM, AC SE100K, UA 1K, DL Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,985
It kind of makes me cringe to call 'I' class an instant upgrade, but you're correct, of course, that most fares that book into 'I' are Y-ups. I agree that these are often well worth the extra premium (usually ~$200-400 on my routes, haven't seen too many $100 differences) on elite/business heavy routes and even some leisure routes with lots of paid J. Back on topic... paying up in advance also guarantees meal preorder selection.