ARCHIVE: 2021 AA Domestic Meal / Meals - menu / photos / etc. (master thread)
Dec 14, 2021, 10:08 am
#1321
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: ORD (formerly SAN)
Programs: Hilton Diamond; IHG Platinum; Bonvoy Gold; AA Platinum Pro and United Premier Silver (DH = AA EXP)
Posts: 1,929
Dec 15, 2021, 12:16 am
#1322
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 3
LAX - DCA
AA: LAX-DCA: 109PM
Dec 10 2021
Lunch
A321neo
First Class
Drink orders were taken a bit after cruising // bumpy air on takeoff // and were refilled often. Snacks in basket in galley but not offered in the cabin at first you had to discover it if you walked up front. After everyone started getting up to investigate and came back with snacks, it was then offered in cabin. Friendly crew and seemed to be a good team helping one another (except with the snacks
)
Choice of:
Pimento Cheese on Pretzel Roll w Hummus & Veggies and side of fruit
Turkey Sandwich on Pretzel Roll w Potato Salad on Arugula. Heavily Cheese’d side Salad
Dec 10 2021
Lunch
A321neo
First Class
Drink orders were taken a bit after cruising // bumpy air on takeoff // and were refilled often. Snacks in basket in galley but not offered in the cabin at first you had to discover it if you walked up front. After everyone started getting up to investigate and came back with snacks, it was then offered in cabin. Friendly crew and seemed to be a good team helping one another (except with the snacks
) Choice of:
Pimento Cheese on Pretzel Roll w Hummus & Veggies and side of fruit
Turkey Sandwich on Pretzel Roll w Potato Salad on Arugula. Heavily Cheese’d side Salad
Dec 15, 2021, 12:33 am
#1323
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 3
Aa dca - lax
AA: DCA - LAX 4:30PM
Dec 12, 2021
“Lunch”
A321neo
First Class
Drink orders were taken and filled but not much refilling unless you walked up or hit the call. Glasses and trash not cleared until almost landing. Crew from the back grabbed things as they came up front (and seemed genuinely surprised)
drinks were in real glasses
nuts were in a plastic package
Choice of:
Wheatberry Salad with raisins, feta and nuts (WOOF) with a side of green beans (it was crunchy pea snack)side of fruit and hummus and veggies
Turkey Aioli Sandwich with potato salad and Parmesan salad
I’ve had my share of challenging airline meals but the wheatberry salad is among the worst for me. I couldn’t choke it down. Odd flavor combo and textures. Crunchy, Mushy, Sweet but with a savory vinaigrette. Sadly the Hummus was watery and the veggies were soggy.
The kicker was the wafting savory smell of hot short ribs for the crew after our cold 530pm “lunch” They heated up several trays that went up front and to the back. I’m all for hot meals for the team but would be nice to get one too. Or a fruit and cheese plate at least.
Dec 12, 2021
“Lunch”
A321neo
First Class
Drink orders were taken and filled but not much refilling unless you walked up or hit the call. Glasses and trash not cleared until almost landing. Crew from the back grabbed things as they came up front (and seemed genuinely surprised)
drinks were in real glasses
nuts were in a plastic package
Choice of:
Wheatberry Salad with raisins, feta and nuts (WOOF) with a side of green beans (it was crunchy pea snack)side of fruit and hummus and veggies
Turkey Aioli Sandwich with potato salad and Parmesan salad
I’ve had my share of challenging airline meals but the wheatberry salad is among the worst for me. I couldn’t choke it down. Odd flavor combo and textures. Crunchy, Mushy, Sweet but with a savory vinaigrette. Sadly the Hummus was watery and the veggies were soggy.
The kicker was the wafting savory smell of hot short ribs for the crew after our cold 530pm “lunch” They heated up several trays that went up front and to the back. I’m all for hot meals for the team but would be nice to get one too. Or a fruit and cheese plate at least.
Dec 15, 2021, 9:57 am
#1324
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,639
The kicker was the wafting savory smell of hot short ribs for the crew after our cold 530pm “lunch” They heated up several trays that went up front and to the back. I’m all for hot meals for the team but would be nice to get one too. Or a fruit and cheese plate at least.
Dec 15, 2021, 10:12 am
#1325
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,670
Dec 15, 2021, 11:18 am
#1326
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: ASE
Programs: UA 1MM, AA1MM PLTPRO, Hertz PC, National EXC, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,357
HNL-LAX
Dinner
A321Neo
Guess this meal is actually an upgrade over what was served pre-COVID on the red-eyes out of Hawaii, at least quantity-wise. Other choice was the taco salad thing. I guess I'm weird, but I really like the potato salad. Drinks keep re-filled as needed by the attentive flight attendant. International Premium Economy pillow/blanket were provided as well.
American Airlines Dinner HNL-LAX
Dinner
A321Neo
Guess this meal is actually an upgrade over what was served pre-COVID on the red-eyes out of Hawaii, at least quantity-wise. Other choice was the taco salad thing. I guess I'm weird, but I really like the potato salad. Drinks keep re-filled as needed by the attentive flight attendant. International Premium Economy pillow/blanket were provided as well.
American Airlines Dinner HNL-LAX
Dec 15, 2021, 5:35 pm
#1327
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,670
Dec 15, 2021, 6:25 pm
#1328
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,639
Dec 16, 2021, 1:44 am
#1329
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,518
MIA-LAX J
Didn't start off well with no menus provided. FA had a menu while taking meal orders that I could look at.
Service started with hot towels (first I've seen this since Covid), followed by drink orders with ramekin of nuts.
Then an all on one tray meal (appetizer, main, dessert). Warm breads from basket were offered.
Dessert was the cheesecake tart. Did sundaes not return to this route?
Didn't start off well with no menus provided. FA had a menu while taking meal orders that I could look at.
Service started with hot towels (first I've seen this since Covid), followed by drink orders with ramekin of nuts.
Then an all on one tray meal (appetizer, main, dessert). Warm breads from basket were offered.
Dessert was the cheesecake tart. Did sundaes not return to this route?
Dec 16, 2021, 10:20 am
#1330
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 94
Turkey Aioli Sandwich with potato salad and Parmesan salad
Its no wonder turkey prices were out of sight for Thanksgiving. I think AA just have tried to corner the market.
Its no wonder turkey prices were out of sight for Thanksgiving. I think AA just have tried to corner the market.
Dec 16, 2021, 11:45 am
#1331
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Gold (prev. Ex Plat for 10 years); DL Plat; UA Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,339
Another disAApointing experience last week, this time on LAX-LIH. We took the evening flight out. Despite arriving at the airport an hour before boarding, the line for Hawaii Pre-Clear wristbands was long and did not move. They only seemed to have two agents working the lines, which were separated into HNL, LIH, OGG and KOA lines. We were still in line when they called for final boarding, so we bailed. We were seated in First so knew we'd be first off the plane in LIH. That was disappointment #1.
Disappointment #2 was the service experience onboard. Pertinent to this thread: there is no differentiated meal service on their Hawaii routes from LAX or PHX. It's the same cold plated garbage found throughout their route network. Options were a turkey sandwich on pretzel bread or the dreaded pimento cheese on pretzel bread. When they got to my row they were naturally out of turkey. So pimento cheese it was. Served with a package of crackers, a Brookie, a plate of gritty hummus and carrots and a side salad that continues to be more parmesan than salad. They served a single round of drinks. Drinks and meals were cleared within 50 minutes of takeoff and no additional service was provided for the remaining 5 hours or so, beyond handing out the agricultural forms.
I mean, I understand minimizing customer interactions, but there's nothing that is making the AA travel experience differentiated (at least not in a good way) right now. The poorly managed Hawaii Pre-Clear experience was just the icing on the cake. We took UA back to LAX and despite a fairly decrepit old 737-800 with poor lumbar support, the whole flight was much more enjoyable. Hot meals and more than a single round of drink felt like a huge upgrade, but service was exceptional too. Friendly, personal and warm.
Disappointment #2 was the service experience onboard. Pertinent to this thread: there is no differentiated meal service on their Hawaii routes from LAX or PHX. It's the same cold plated garbage found throughout their route network. Options were a turkey sandwich on pretzel bread or the dreaded pimento cheese on pretzel bread. When they got to my row they were naturally out of turkey. So pimento cheese it was. Served with a package of crackers, a Brookie, a plate of gritty hummus and carrots and a side salad that continues to be more parmesan than salad. They served a single round of drinks. Drinks and meals were cleared within 50 minutes of takeoff and no additional service was provided for the remaining 5 hours or so, beyond handing out the agricultural forms.
I mean, I understand minimizing customer interactions, but there's nothing that is making the AA travel experience differentiated (at least not in a good way) right now. The poorly managed Hawaii Pre-Clear experience was just the icing on the cake. We took UA back to LAX and despite a fairly decrepit old 737-800 with poor lumbar support, the whole flight was much more enjoyable. Hot meals and more than a single round of drink felt like a huge upgrade, but service was exceptional too. Friendly, personal and warm.
Dec 16, 2021, 11:57 am
#1332
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: ASE
Programs: UA 1MM, AA1MM PLTPRO, Hertz PC, National EXC, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,357
Another disAApointing experience last week, this time on LAX-LIH. We took the evening flight out. Despite arriving at the airport an hour before boarding, the line for Hawaii Pre-Clear wristbands was long and did not move. They only seemed to have two agents working the lines, which were separated into HNL, LIH, OGG and KOA lines. We were still in line when they called for final boarding, so we bailed. We were seated in First so knew we'd be first off the plane in LIH. That was disappointment #1.
Disappointment #2 was the service experience onboard. Pertinent to this thread: there is no differentiated meal service on their Hawaii routes from LAX or PHX. It's the same cold plated garbage found throughout their route network. Options were a turkey sandwich on pretzel bread or the dreaded pimento cheese on pretzel bread. When they got to my row they were naturally out of turkey. So pimento cheese it was. Served with a package of crackers, a Brookie, a plate of gritty hummus and carrots and a side salad that continues to be more parmesan than salad. They served a single round of drinks. Drinks and meals were cleared within 50 minutes of takeoff and no additional service was provided for the remaining 5 hours or so, beyond handing out the agricultural forms.
I mean, I understand minimizing customer interactions, but there's nothing that is making the AA travel experience differentiated (at least not in a good way) right now. The poorly managed Hawaii Pre-Clear experience was just the icing on the cake. We took UA back to LAX and despite a fairly decrepit old 737-800 with poor lumbar support, the whole flight was much more enjoyable. Hot meals and more than a single round of drink felt like a huge upgrade, but service was exceptional too. Friendly, personal and warm.
Disappointment #2 was the service experience onboard. Pertinent to this thread: there is no differentiated meal service on their Hawaii routes from LAX or PHX. It's the same cold plated garbage found throughout their route network. Options were a turkey sandwich on pretzel bread or the dreaded pimento cheese on pretzel bread. When they got to my row they were naturally out of turkey. So pimento cheese it was. Served with a package of crackers, a Brookie, a plate of gritty hummus and carrots and a side salad that continues to be more parmesan than salad. They served a single round of drinks. Drinks and meals were cleared within 50 minutes of takeoff and no additional service was provided for the remaining 5 hours or so, beyond handing out the agricultural forms.
I mean, I understand minimizing customer interactions, but there's nothing that is making the AA travel experience differentiated (at least not in a good way) right now. The poorly managed Hawaii Pre-Clear experience was just the icing on the cake. We took UA back to LAX and despite a fairly decrepit old 737-800 with poor lumbar support, the whole flight was much more enjoyable. Hot meals and more than a single round of drink felt like a huge upgrade, but service was exceptional too. Friendly, personal and warm.
Dec 16, 2021, 12:29 pm
#1333
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Gold (prev. Ex Plat for 10 years); DL Plat; UA Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,339
Yep. There is a huge difference in what AA is offering compared to UA on the LAX-Hawaii routes right now. And the Oasis seats on the A321Neo's are a literal PITA on flights of this length. Only plus were the premium economy pillows/blankets. FYI if you find yourself on the misfortune of flying AA to Hawaii through LAX, they are doing wristbands in the T4 Admirals Club if you have access.
And thank you for the tip on T4 Admirals Club - if I find myself in the unfortunate position of flying AA on these routes to Hawaii again I'll take advantage!
Dec 16, 2021, 9:12 pm
#1334
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: DTW/EYW
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, United 1K, Delta Platinum ,Hilton Diamond, Mariott Gold
Posts: 275
Dec 17, 2021, 6:24 pm
#1335
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA MM Gold, AA Ex Plat, SPG Plat,Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 992
Another disAApointing experience last week, this time on LAX-LIH. We took the evening flight out. Despite arriving at the airport an hour before boarding, the line for Hawaii Pre-Clear wristbands was long and did not move. They only seemed to have two agents working the lines, which were separated into HNL, LIH, OGG and KOA lines. We were still in line when they called for final boarding, so we bailed. We were seated in First so knew we'd be first off the plane in LIH. That was disappointment #1.
Disappointment #2 was the service experience onboard. Pertinent to this thread: there is no differentiated meal service on their Hawaii routes from LAX or PHX. It's the same cold plated garbage found throughout their route network. Options were a turkey sandwich on pretzel bread or the dreaded pimento cheese on pretzel bread. When they got to my row they were naturally out of turkey. So pimento cheese it was. Served with a package of crackers, a Brookie, a plate of gritty hummus and carrots and a side salad that continues to be more parmesan than salad. They served a single round of drinks. Drinks and meals were cleared within 50 minutes of takeoff and no additional service was provided for the remaining 5 hours or so, beyond handing out the agricultural forms.
I mean, I understand minimizing customer interactions, but there's nothing that is making the AA travel experience differentiated (at least not in a good way) right now. The poorly managed Hawaii Pre-Clear experience was just the icing on the cake. We took UA back to LAX and despite a fairly decrepit old 737-800 with poor lumbar support, the whole flight was much more enjoyable. Hot meals and more than a single round of drink felt like a huge upgrade, but service was exceptional too. Friendly, personal and warm.
Disappointment #2 was the service experience onboard. Pertinent to this thread: there is no differentiated meal service on their Hawaii routes from LAX or PHX. It's the same cold plated garbage found throughout their route network. Options were a turkey sandwich on pretzel bread or the dreaded pimento cheese on pretzel bread. When they got to my row they were naturally out of turkey. So pimento cheese it was. Served with a package of crackers, a Brookie, a plate of gritty hummus and carrots and a side salad that continues to be more parmesan than salad. They served a single round of drinks. Drinks and meals were cleared within 50 minutes of takeoff and no additional service was provided for the remaining 5 hours or so, beyond handing out the agricultural forms.
I mean, I understand minimizing customer interactions, but there's nothing that is making the AA travel experience differentiated (at least not in a good way) right now. The poorly managed Hawaii Pre-Clear experience was just the icing on the cake. We took UA back to LAX and despite a fairly decrepit old 737-800 with poor lumbar support, the whole flight was much more enjoyable. Hot meals and more than a single round of drink felt like a huge upgrade, but service was exceptional too. Friendly, personal and warm.