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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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.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 Jun 29, 2019, 3:45 pm
  #556  
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Originally Posted by FlightNurse
The Asian Special meal was excellent, it was by far NOT an asian meal, more like Hindu/Indian.


Vegetable Marsala Never seen a info card about the meal before, also the pita rounds were odd too. Over all excellent meal, lots of flavor but the salad was horrible.. The dessert was excellent... I noticed the lady in front of my husband who got the same meal as my husband got hummus on her tray and no pita for it, I think somehow I should have gotten the hummus for my pita rounds... Oh well
*masala

Marsala = Italian
Masala = Indian

It's definitely common on many airlines to have the "Asian-Veg" meal be some sort of an Indian dish.
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Old Jul 1, 2019, 7:06 am
  #557  
 
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Originally Posted by CLT
That salad looks like it was designed by someone who either doesn't know what salad is, or has never eaten salad before in their life.
Just out of curiosity -- why? Those are all among ingredients I regularly use in salads together.
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Old Jul 1, 2019, 9:47 am
  #558  
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MX-USA Pasta

June 30, 2019
CUN-CLT


The entree was ok - not that flavorful, but not offensive. The dessert was surprisingly very tasty - described as a "chocolate sweetcorn thing" - it was a really flavorful mousse cake.

Sundried Tomato and Cheese Mezzaluna Pasta
Creamy mushroom sauce, asparagus, cherry tomato, Parmesan cheese


Chocolate Mousse Sweetcorn Cake
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Old Jul 1, 2019, 11:04 am
  #559  
 
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Originally Posted by BWISkyGuy
Just out of curiosity -- why? Those are all among ingredients I regularly use in salads together.

I commented that I had this salad in PE on a recent international flight. It was tasteless and bland.

I also don't happen to like radishes in my salad. The salad dressing they served me didn't help to spice it up either. I like grapes, just not in my salad. So I ate those separate. So lettuce, radishes, and a seedy mustardy dressing just didn't pan out very well. My husband isn't a picky guy, he'll pretty much eat anything and he didn't like it either.
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Old Jul 1, 2019, 12:17 pm
  #560  
 
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Originally Posted by SunkissedMommy
I commented that I had this salad in PE on a recent international flight. It was tasteless and bland.

I also don't happen to like radishes in my salad. The salad dressing they served me didn't help to spice it up either. I like grapes, just not in my salad. So I ate those separate. So lettuce, radishes, and a seedy mustardy dressing just didn't pan out very well. My husband isn't a picky guy, he'll pretty much eat anything and he didn't like it either.
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.
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Old Jul 1, 2019, 1:52 pm
  #561  
 
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Originally Posted by BWISkyGuy
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.
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.
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Old Jul 2, 2019, 1:00 pm
  #562  
 
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DFW QRO Cold Breakfast

Flew in J class DFW to QRO last week. Since I didn't think the regional jet (Embraer 175) could do full meals, I did not expect much for a late breakfast, but was pleasantly surprised with a cold salmon plate that was delicious. The portion of salmon was tasty and generous. It came with a very nice potato salad with a dill dressing, some pickled onions and big caper. It was served with fruit and also came with a piping hot cinnamon role that was fresh and tasty. All nice with white wine to start the vacation properly. Service was friendly and spot on.
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Old Jul 2, 2019, 1:09 pm
  #563  
 
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Originally Posted by DFW75208
Flew in J class DFW to QRO last week. Since I didn't think the regional jet (Embraer 175) could do full meals, I did not expect much for a late breakfast, but was pleasantly surprised with a cold salmon plate that was delicious. The portion of salmon was tasty and generous. It came with a very nice potato salad with a dill dressing, some pickled onions and big caper. It was served with fruit and also came with a piping hot cinnamon role that was fresh and tasty. All nice with white wine to start the vacation properly. Service was friendly and spot on.
I thought the regionals didn’t have ovens. How did the roll get “piping hot”?
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Old Jul 2, 2019, 1:10 pm
  #564  
 
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Originally Posted by DFW75208
Flew in J class DFW to QRO last week. Since I didn't think the regional jet (Embraer 175) could do full meals, I did not expect much for a late breakfast, but was pleasantly surprised with a cold salmon plate that was delicious. The portion of salmon was tasty and generous. It came with a very nice potato salad with a dill dressing, some pickled onions and big caper. It was served with fruit and also came with a piping hot cinnamon role that was fresh and tasty. All nice with white wine to start the vacation properly. Service was friendly and spot on.
Originally Posted by joepercussion1


I thought the regionals didn’t have ovens. How did the roll get “piping hot”?
Maybe they were on Delta
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Old Jul 2, 2019, 3:51 pm
  #565  
 
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Originally Posted by joepercussion1


I thought the regionals didn’t have ovens. How did the roll get “piping hot”?
Not sure, but this one had an oven. The attendant came over with a tray with individual dishes of the hot rolls. I didn't expect it and thought maybe it was a choice of breakfast breads, so I stared at it for a while. After a bit, he said, "take one, please!". I said no thanks, but my spouse took one. The attendant later came and apologized for being short, but the tray was burning his hands as I sat there staring. I ate half of my husband's roll and it was really good and definitely hot.
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Old Jul 2, 2019, 6:17 pm
  #566  
 
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Has anyone had the “Southwest Pasta with poblano corn puree and New Mexico red chilli sauce?”

Would you choose it or the short rib with cauliflower mash?
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Old Jul 2, 2019, 7:14 pm
  #567  
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Originally Posted by Davidjonesk
Has anyone had the “Southwest Pasta with poblano corn puree and New Mexico red chilli sauce?”

Would you choose it or the short rib with cauliflower mash?
Yes, just search the dish and voila.
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Old Jul 3, 2019, 9:19 pm
  #568  
 
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DFW-SJC F Diabetic Meal

Gave this special meal a try, the flight attendant laughed when I asked for a Bloody Mary with it. Not as good as AVML in my view, the chicken was dry and the sauce was tasteless.


Diabetic meal - Chicken with a cornmeal mash

Last edited by bdhaliwa; Jul 3, 2019 at 9:25 pm Reason: spell
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Old Jul 3, 2019, 9:23 pm
  #569  
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Originally Posted by bdhaliwa
Gave this special meal a try, the flight attendant laughed when I asked for a Bloody Mary with it. My vote on it is that it is not as good as a AVML, the chicken was dry and the sauce was weird.


Diabetic meal - Chicken with a cornmeal mash
This is now the defacto diabetic (frozen) meal on AA. I’m not a fan of it but some are.
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Old Jul 3, 2019, 11:11 pm
  #570  
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Originally Posted by bdhaliwa
Gave this special meal a try, the flight attendant laughed when I asked for a Bloody Mary with it. Not as good as AVML in my view, the chicken was dry and the sauce was tasteless.

Diabetic meal - Chicken with a cornmeal mash
Looks absolutely horrid. Is that mashed potatoes or yet another terrible industrial roll?
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