Jan 1, 20, 9:30 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
AA/US Domestic Dining (including Canada, Mexico, & the Caribbean)
Link to The Official American Airlines Onboard Service Policy Guide, by Gary Leff on January 22, 2020. Comprehensive charts and information.
Link to Combined 2020 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PLEASE: DO NOT POST OVERSIZED IMAGES; PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE AND REPEAT IMAGES IN YOUR QUOTED POST.
Welcome to the 2020 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 The Official American Airlines Onboard Service Policy Guide, by Gary Leff on January 22, 2020. Comprehensive charts and information.
Link to Combined 2020 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.
Welcome to the 2020 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!)
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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Combined 2020 AA Domestic Meal / Meals - menu / photos / etc. (master thread)
Jan 27, 20, 1:04 pm
#76
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 196
AA1106: ORD-DFW: 11:30am
Lunch
First Class
Preordered Asian Vegetarian 30 days before the flight
Creamy Spinach Saag with seasoned cauliflower and potatoes, served with basmati rice. The Creamy spinach was good (and not made with dairy), while the seasoned cauliflower and potatoes was amazing. Basmati rice was fine (it was nice paired with the other two items for dipping together). I haven't seen a reduction in quality since the alleged combination of asian vegetarian, muslim, hindu meals. I'm still a happy lactose intolerant flyer.
Cauliflower rice and potatoes, basmati rice, creamy (non-dairy) spinach saag
Cauliflower rice and potatoes, basmati rice, creamy (non-dairy) spinach saag
Lunch
First Class
Preordered Asian Vegetarian 30 days before the flight
Creamy Spinach Saag with seasoned cauliflower and potatoes, served with basmati rice. The Creamy spinach was good (and not made with dairy), while the seasoned cauliflower and potatoes was amazing. Basmati rice was fine (it was nice paired with the other two items for dipping together). I haven't seen a reduction in quality since the alleged combination of asian vegetarian, muslim, hindu meals. I'm still a happy lactose intolerant flyer.
Cauliflower rice and potatoes, basmati rice, creamy (non-dairy) spinach saag
Cauliflower rice and potatoes, basmati rice, creamy (non-dairy) spinach saag
Jan 27, 20, 1:16 pm
#77
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, LH Senator *Gold, AA EXP OWE Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,390
Looks like my plane was a last minute swap as the seat map showed 3 rows/9 seats 24 hours earlier. Good thing I had selected 2A.
Jan 27, 20, 1:21 pm
#78
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Jan 28, 20, 10:38 am
#79
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,381
A321s LAX-BOS Redeye
Flight 2455 LAX-BOS redeye in First.
LiteBites Choice of "Turkey Croissant with Banana or Fruit with Yogurt" served after 10:00pm takeoff. Got the turkey - it wasn't good. These choices seem like something that should maybe be morning foods before landing?
LiteBites Choice of "Turkey Croissant with Banana or Fruit with Yogurt" served after 10:00pm takeoff. Got the turkey - it wasn't good. These choices seem like something that should maybe be morning foods before landing?
Jan 28, 20, 2:45 pm
#80
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: AA Plat Pro
Posts: 515
YMMV, but I love that turkey croissant sandwich and banana. I get it all the time on BWI-ORD and am grateful to get that instead of the snack basket.
Jan 28, 20, 3:24 pm
#81
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: HH Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 10,411
According to AA's service standards, that should have been served prior to landing. At the beginning of the flight, it should have been beverages and nuts. Short of the flight crew predicting pre-arrival turbulence, I don't understand why the FA would do it differently (except laziness).
Last edited by formeraa; Jan 28, 20 at 3:32 pm
Jan 28, 20, 9:43 pm
#82
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Hilton HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,173
Jan 29, 20, 12:17 am
#83
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,381
Jan 29, 20, 10:58 am
#84
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
Jan 29, 20, 1:03 pm
#85
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
MIA-JFK
763
Breakfast
PDB of water/OJ only but my request for bubbles was granted and the FA even brought me the whole mini bottle to enjoy. Yay! Another successful PDB request when getting the water/oj tray on the 763 equipment.
763
Breakfast
PDB of water/OJ only but my request for bubbles was granted and the FA even brought me the whole mini bottle to enjoy. Yay! Another successful PDB request when getting the water/oj tray on the 763 equipment.
Jan 31, 20, 3:27 pm
#86
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: AA-EXP, Flying Blue-Silver
Posts: 727
PHL-LAS
A330-200
First Class
Dinner
January 2020
An on time boarding was followed by PDB of choice.
Once in the air, hot towels were distributed and then recollected.
Warm nuts and beverage of choice were then offered back to front.
The regular hot entre choices were beef short rib or manicotti pasta, my acknowledged pre-ordered meal was the manicotti. The main meal was served together on a tray -- which proactively included a refill on my cocktail -- and consisted of the manicotti pasta in a pink sauce, an appetizer of two shrimp served with some sort of coleslaw and a green side salad topped with slices of cucumber. I found the pasta to be tasty and filling. The shrimp, albeit a bit on the small side, were flavorful. The salad looked fresh, but I skipped eating it. Bread (a choice of pretzel, white, or wheat) was offered from the basket; per usual when it’s available, I went with the pretzel roll.
Caramel cone ice cream was offered for dessert – being full by that point, I passed.
The service was excellent throughout the flight with frequent passes offering refills on beverages, and after the meal service had concluded, a snack basket station was set up (I thought this was a very nice touch) on the “shelf” in front of seats 1C and 1F.
A mint was offered prior to landing.
In sum, a solid domestic F performance on AA.
A330-200
First Class
Dinner
January 2020
An on time boarding was followed by PDB of choice.
Once in the air, hot towels were distributed and then recollected.
Warm nuts and beverage of choice were then offered back to front.
The regular hot entre choices were beef short rib or manicotti pasta, my acknowledged pre-ordered meal was the manicotti. The main meal was served together on a tray -- which proactively included a refill on my cocktail -- and consisted of the manicotti pasta in a pink sauce, an appetizer of two shrimp served with some sort of coleslaw and a green side salad topped with slices of cucumber. I found the pasta to be tasty and filling. The shrimp, albeit a bit on the small side, were flavorful. The salad looked fresh, but I skipped eating it. Bread (a choice of pretzel, white, or wheat) was offered from the basket; per usual when it’s available, I went with the pretzel roll.
Caramel cone ice cream was offered for dessert – being full by that point, I passed.
The service was excellent throughout the flight with frequent passes offering refills on beverages, and after the meal service had concluded, a snack basket station was set up (I thought this was a very nice touch) on the “shelf” in front of seats 1C and 1F.
A mint was offered prior to landing.
In sum, a solid domestic F performance on AA.
Jan 31, 20, 4:44 pm
#87
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: DCA/CLT/HKG
Programs: AA EXP (Former US CP)
Posts: 711
Feb 1, 20, 3:35 pm
#88
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: Delta Platinum Medallion, Hyatt Explorist, Wyndham Diamond
Posts: 298
Replace the sauce with packets of sriracha and then it looks good.
Feb 1, 20, 10:53 pm
#89
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: PWM/KBXM/BGR; Work: DCA/DFW/Everywhere; Play: LAS/AUA/MIA/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, mlife Noir, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,417
I got the oatmeal treatment twice on breakfast orders (can't recall the routes), which has led me away from AVML/HNML on breakfast flights -- I do think that each time there was at least some small difference between mine and the other pax, could have been the little container of coconut, or that my fruit had something exotic (a piece of mango or papaya).
Feb 1, 20, 11:32 pm
#90
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: AA EXP. HH DIAMOND.
Posts: 213
DCA/ORD A319
Dinner 5pm
AVML
was quite good similar to past dishes different vegetables. Both has good flavors.
Nice to see nutrition facts and ingredients
Dinner 5pm
AVML
was quite good similar to past dishes different vegetables. Both has good flavors.
Nice to see nutrition facts and ingredients
