Last edit by: UAPremierGuy
As of 9/21:
Flights under 900 miles
Flights over 2,200 miles* / over 4.5 hours
**Some domestic and short-haul international flights will include a fruit and cheese plate instead of tray meal service and will also have snack basket service before landing.
cmd320 notation (unofficial): the 2,200mi + section for F and J is a bit misleading. Domestic flights within the continental US other than premium transcons (JFK-LAX/SFO, MIA-LAX on 77W) do not receive a full meal and instead only see a sandwich/fruit and cheese plate.
fly747first notation (official) MIA LAX on 772 receives full meal and amenities as Flagship Business except for lounge access
Flights under 900 miles
- Water, canned drinks and juice by request only
- No snacks, alcohol or food available in the Main Cabin
- Alcohol available in First by request only
In the Main Cabin includes Premium Economy and Main Cabin Extra
- Complimentary pretzels or Biscoff cookies and bottled water during boarding*
- No snacks, alcohol or food for purchase
- Water, canned drinks and juice by request only
In First:
- Complimentary fresh snacks on flights departing between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.*
- Complimentary pretzels or Biscoff cookies and bottled water during boarding*
- Drinks, including alcohol, by request only
- No drinks served before departure
Flights over 2,200 miles* / over 4.5 hours
In the Main Cabin includes Premium Economy and Main Cabin Extra
- Complimentary pretzels or Biscoff cookies and water, canned drinks or juice during the flight
- No snacks or food for purchase
- No alcohol or meals except on long-haul international flights
In First and Business:
- Complimentary fresh snacks on flights departing between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.
- Complimentary pretzels or Biscoff cookies and water, canned drinks or juice during the flight
- Meals served on one tray, not in courses**
- No drinks served before departure
- Alcohol will be available
**Some domestic and short-haul international flights will include a fruit and cheese plate instead of tray meal service and will also have snack basket service before landing.
cmd320 notation (unofficial): the 2,200mi + section for F and J is a bit misleading. Domestic flights within the continental US other than premium transcons (JFK-LAX/SFO, MIA-LAX on 77W) do not receive a full meal and instead only see a sandwich/fruit and cheese plate.
fly747first notation (official) MIA LAX on 772 receives full meal and amenities as Flagship Business except for lounge access
Coronavirus Reduced Inflight Food and Beverage Restrictions as of 03/2020 and changes
#691
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 3,846
I have no doubt that the AFA would love for the call button to be for emergency use only. Fortunately, I haven't seen any such AA policy.
#692
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,918
No fruit/cheese plate on Eagle even longer flights...makes ZERO sense. They don't even get the water bag w snacks.
#693
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: DCA
Programs: DL (ex-NW) Plat pining for self-serve WC's and real cheese
Posts: 715
What should be my reasonable expectations on an approx. 400-500 mile flight in First, but on Eagle? Will drinks really be served 'upon request' or likely to get nothing? Thanks!
#694
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Be prepared to stop the FC FA as he/she heads back to the coach galley for the whole flight or if you miss that then hit the call button.....of course some are great but AE is where I see the FC FA scurry to the back the minute they can once in the air.
#695
Join Date: Mar 2019
Programs: AA EXP and Marriott Titanium
Posts: 748
From my experiences on 3 short-ish Eagle flights operated by Envoy in the past month (DFW-IAH and back and ABQ-DFW): you'll almost definitely have to request one and you'll probably get one, but don't be surprised if you get some dirty looks or flat-out refused. (I had to request on all of them; one FA happily gave me refills, one gave me one reluctantly and then disappeared, and one refused even water.)
#696
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: OKC
Programs: IHG Spire, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 2,266
#698
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: DCA/CLT/HKG
Programs: AA EXP (Former US CP)
Posts: 726
As others have mentioned, I have found Republic FA's to be the worst during this time period; literally hiding in the rear galley during the entire flight.
PSA/Envoy/Piedmont FAs have been terrific.
PSA/Envoy/Piedmont FAs have been terrific.
#699
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 253
I predict we see AA retract some of this if we complain enough. Like how AA is actually adding padding back to some Oasis F seats. They went too far again.
Some routes like PHL-SFO/LAX/SAN are some pretty long domestic flights. Imagine a 2 hour delay to takeoff then a 6.5 hour flight and all you got was a cheese plate. People will start to bring their own F meals, and at that point who is going to pay for it, you mine as well take MCE. Why not offer some nice sandwiches or for sale meals instead comped? They could offer them to F first and then sell the remaining to coach buy on board program. There has to be better options then this even if they insist on cold. Even a salad is more filling then their cheese plate.
Is AA removing the ovens to save weight? That is a scary thought because they will never put them back in.
Some routes like PHL-SFO/LAX/SAN are some pretty long domestic flights. Imagine a 2 hour delay to takeoff then a 6.5 hour flight and all you got was a cheese plate. People will start to bring their own F meals, and at that point who is going to pay for it, you mine as well take MCE. Why not offer some nice sandwiches or for sale meals instead comped? They could offer them to F first and then sell the remaining to coach buy on board program. There has to be better options then this even if they insist on cold. Even a salad is more filling then their cheese plate.
Is AA removing the ovens to save weight? That is a scary thought because they will never put them back in.
#700
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
As for cocktail service, just cross your fingers that you don't get one of the "Big Front Seat" crews! And even if you don't, you'll still have your plastic cup as a reminder that it's not quite the same as it was.
#701
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 29,760
#702
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: DCA/CLT/HKG
Programs: AA EXP (Former US CP)
Posts: 726
I highly doubt AA would remove ovens at this stage. That would be a very drastic move IMO especially if they want to win flyers back once everything settles.
Here are the currently operating routes that lost meal service:
-BOS-LAX/PHX
-DCA-LAX
-PHL-LAX/SAN/SFO
-CLT-SFO/SEA/SMF/PDX (I often forget how far west CLT is)
-MIA-LAX/SAN/SEA/SFO
-DFW-ANC (I can't remember if this was included or excluded like Hawaii)
What is concerning to me is AA labeled this change as only affecting a small number of routes, but that is essentially all of AA's transcontinental network at present. Some of these routes are high-yielding and have contracts attached to them, MIA-LAX and CLT-SFO both come to mind. Granted that business might not be traveling now but it still doesn't send a good message.
Here are the currently operating routes that lost meal service:
-BOS-LAX/PHX
-DCA-LAX
-PHL-LAX/SAN/SFO
-CLT-SFO/SEA/SMF/PDX (I often forget how far west CLT is)
-MIA-LAX/SAN/SEA/SFO
-DFW-ANC (I can't remember if this was included or excluded like Hawaii)
What is concerning to me is AA labeled this change as only affecting a small number of routes, but that is essentially all of AA's transcontinental network at present. Some of these routes are high-yielding and have contracts attached to them, MIA-LAX and CLT-SFO both come to mind. Granted that business might not be traveling now but it still doesn't send a good message.
#703
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 29,760
Will look forward to your report... there's something seriously wrong with EP status these days if it doesn't provide a CLT-GRR COVID upgrade in a 12J regional jet cabin lol.
As for cocktail service, just cross your fingers that you don't get one of the "Big Front Seat" crews! And even if you don't, you'll still have your plastic cup as a reminder that it's not quite the same as it was.
As for cocktail service, just cross your fingers that you don't get one of the "Big Front Seat" crews! And even if you don't, you'll still have your plastic cup as a reminder that it's not quite the same as it was.
#704
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
The sad thing is the cheese plate is at least a fresh food item (and somewhat healthy) and IMO better than the shelf stable snack boxes that DL/UA/AS are serving. Plus the snack basket on the longer flights makes AA still better in my book.....its just sad to see AA go backwards on all of those routes CLT called out above.
Deltas CEO has committed to bringing back full service and you know AA will have no choice at that point so its just a matter of time.
Deltas CEO has committed to bringing back full service and you know AA will have no choice at that point so its just a matter of time.
#705
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: DCA/CLT/HKG
Programs: AA EXP (Former US CP)
Posts: 726
The sad thing is the cheese plate is at least a fresh food item (and somewhat healthy) and IMO better than the shelf stable snack boxes that DL/UA/AS are serving. Plus the snack basket on the longer flights makes AA still better in my book.....its just sad to see AA go backwards on all of those routes CLT called out above.
Deltas CEO has committed to bringing back full service and you know AA will have no choice at that point so its just a matter of time.
Deltas CEO has committed to bringing back full service and you know AA will have no choice at that point so its just a matter of time.
CLT flyers truly lost the most out of this as CLT-SAN/LAX are just under 2200 miles and were excluded from the other meal cuts.