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ARCHIVE: Combined 2019 AA Domestic Meal, Meals, menu / photos / etc. (master thread)

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Old Jan 2, 2019, 10:33 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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

Originally Posted by MrAndy1369
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! For the 2019 International Meals thread, click here.

Enjoy!
[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.
  • 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!)
American Eagle flights do not offer pre-ordering of meals.

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)

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Old Feb 27, 2019, 9:30 pm
  #181  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
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Originally Posted by VaBeachGirl
Booked in J on MIA to FDF and return for flights in May, itinerary shows lunch/dinner. My online reservation isn't showing a meal selection option. I'm guessing it's because these flights are operated by Republic on Embraer 175 RJs?
If it's in May, it's too far out. Pre-orders can only be done for flights within 30 days.
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Old Feb 27, 2019, 9:41 pm
  #182  
 
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Originally Posted by VaBeachGirl
Booked in J on MIA to FDF and return for flights in May, itinerary shows lunch/dinner. My online reservation isn't showing a meal selection option. I'm guessing it's because these flights are operated by Republic on Embraer 175 RJs?
Correct, you'll have two options of a smaller meal, usually something like a wrap or a salad... but could be something as seemingly good/hearty as the "Italian Sandwich" posted above. No ovens on AA's E175s, so it will be a cold meal (and room temp nuts), but it's a very comfortable ride up front.
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Old Feb 27, 2019, 9:45 pm
  #183  
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
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I'm flying SFO-JFK in J on Friday and see these options for dinner:

Gorgonzola-Crusted Beef Filet
balsamic demi-glace, potato gratin, asparagus, blistered tomatoes

Tamarind Chicken Tamarind Chicken
coconut curry sauce, sweet potato purée, sautéed seasoned haricots verts, baby carrot, pattypan squash

Chickpea Masala
coriander-mint basmati rice, sautéed spinach, roasted cauliflower, baby carrot

Grilled Sea Bass
red skin potatoes, broccolini, tomato confit sauce

Anyone had any of these?

I am leaning towards ordering the AVML but I wonder whether it will be the same thing as the Chickpea Masala! I figure there's no harm in finding out (I wouldn't be upset if it is the same, and there's a chance it could be different or better?) -- but this is the first time I've seen something that looks like an AVML as one of the "normal" options for preorder.

I'm also thinking of abandoning all that and just giving the beef & potatoes another try but I really don't like overcooked airplane beef.
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Old Feb 28, 2019, 1:08 pm
  #184  
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 12
Originally Posted by iadisgreat
The oatmeal is exactly what you think it is - oatmeal. They give some milk, brown sugar, and (maybe) some dried fruit blend to put on top. Literally, that is all.
So nothing fancy, got it. Thanks!
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Old Feb 28, 2019, 11:27 pm
  #185  
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Empire State
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum; Marriott Platinum
Posts: 461
Originally Posted by platbrownguy
I'm flying SFO-JFK in J on Friday and see these options for dinner:




Anyone had any of these?

I am leaning towards ordering the AVML but I wonder whether it will be the same thing as the Chickpea Masala! I figure there's no harm in finding out (I wouldn't be upset if it is the same, and there's a chance it could be different or better?) -- but this is the first time I've seen something that looks like an AVML as one of the "normal" options for preorder.

I'm also thinking of abandoning all that and just giving the beef & potatoes another try but I really don't like overcooked airplane beef.
I had the Chickpea Masala earlier this week JFK-LAX in J. Delicious; one of the better domestic meals I’ve had. Only complaint is that I wish it had more spice. Starters were good, too.




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Old Feb 28, 2019, 11:36 pm
  #186  
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
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Originally Posted by AAEmpireState
I had the Chickpea Masala earlier this week JFK-LAX in J. Delicious; one of the better domestic meals I’ve had. Only complaint is that I wish it had more spice. Starters were good, too.

Great. I stuck with the AVML but your photo looks just like an AVML so I will not be shocked if I end up getting the same thing. Will report back tomorrow...
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Old Mar 1, 2019, 3:15 pm
  #187  
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Originally Posted by platbrownguy

Great. I stuck with the AVML but your photo looks just like an AVML so I will not be shocked if I end up getting the same thing. Will report back tomorrow...
I said the same thing when I saw the photo.
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Old Mar 1, 2019, 7:25 pm
  #188  
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
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Posting from onboard JFK-SFO. Others who had the chickpea masala got a dish that looks like AAEmpireState's but got the regular appetizer and salad.

I stuck with AVML and got the "enhanced" appetizer and salad. (The appetizer was chickpeas, cucumbers, and yogurt sauce. The salad had asparaagus, whole carrot, and tomatoes in addition to the greens.) I also had a gulab jamin dessert plated with the salad and app.

My main was chickpeas, spinach, rice, and some sort of panko-crusted pakora-like things that were actually okay. The chickpeas were decently spicy. There was a dish of raita on the side that was okay despite having gone through the oven (I imagine they were supposed to keep it to the side?)

Anyhow, long story short very satisfied with the AVML -- quality was the usual above-average.

edited to add pics of meal & dessert:


--


Last edited by platbrownguy; Mar 2, 2019 at 3:10 pm
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Old Mar 3, 2019, 6:08 am
  #189  
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Gruyere omelet from LAS to DFW.
I had the gruyere omelet from Las Vegas (LAS) to DFW. I actually enjoyed the meal quite a but, although that may partially have been the seat. We were flying in a 787, so I was in an unusually good mood. The potatoes were merely "meh," but I enjoyed everything else. The eggs stayed most, and the fruit was fresh. It was certainly large enough for breakfast/
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Old Mar 3, 2019, 6:16 am
  #190  
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
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Posts: 6,663
Redeye AVML in J on SFO-JFK:



The "usual" (reasonably spicy) chickpeas on the left, with yellow dal (lentils) on the right. Could have used some yogurt but still plenty good enough.
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Old Mar 3, 2019, 7:43 am
  #191  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
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Originally Posted by MrAndy1369
If it's in May, it's too far out. Pre-orders can only be done for flights within 30 days.
Yes, I understand that. The reason I asked is because the Reserve a Meal section isn't even showing up on the reservation. Typically, I'll see:
"Request your first choice on your flight. You can reserve a meal beginning 30 days (and up to 24 hours) before your flight.
Available within 30 days of departure"
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Old Mar 3, 2019, 10:07 am
  #192  
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Originally Posted by VaBeachGirl
Booked in J on MIA to FDF and return for flights in May, itinerary shows lunch/dinner. My online reservation isn't showing a meal selection option. I'm guessing it's because these flights are operated by Republic on Embraer 175 RJs?
I see the same for my E175 flights. No option to pre-select a meal.
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Old Mar 3, 2019, 10:37 am
  #193  
 
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Posts: 3,198
Originally Posted by GFrye

I see the same for my E175 flights. No option to pre-select a meal.
Pre-order is not available on Eagle flights.
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Old Mar 3, 2019, 1:54 pm
  #194  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
3/3 ORD->BOS
Breakfast AVML

I think this was dalia and some dosa. Really enjoyed the taste of the meal and the coconut shavings and yellow raisins were a nice addition. IME, the AVML remains the best choice of AA's offerings.

Service: No PDB and service started off a bit slow, which always surprises me given that ORD to BOS is only around 1.45 hrs. Single FA worked the A321 cabin, but she was friendly and hit all of the in flight service elements: hot towel, beverage, meal service, refills, mints.

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Old Mar 3, 2019, 10:14 pm
  #195  
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Originally Posted by USFlyerUS
Pre-order is not available on Eagle flights.
Maybe this should be put in the Wiki since may people still ask this same question.
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