Changes to LHR flight catering operations (28 Feb 2026 - ?)
Mar 13, 2026 | 7:04 pm
#151
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 8,252
Impressed!
We are flying AA134 LAX-LHR in PE on Sunday. We both pre-ordered a meal. As AS OWE Titaniums, we both have our AS FF#s in the PNR.
At 12:35 PDT today, I received an email from AA.
Hello James:
American Airlines is making temporary adjustments to its inflight dining experience on flights to and from London Heathrow (LHR) due to a disruption in our catering operations.
We are working diligently with our local teams and suppliers to ensure our customers' experience remains as consistent as possible during these temporary adjustments.
While we are making every effort to provide suitable alternatives, some meal items may be substituted, and we cannot guarantee availability of meal choices including pre-ordered and special meal requests.
As an apology for the inconvenience, we'd like to send you AAdvantage miles compensation; however, we need your AAdvantage account number.
You can simply reply to this email with your account number, and we'll add the miles for you. Not an AAdvantage member? You can easily sign up for an account by clicking here.
After your account has been created, please reply to this email with your account number, and we'll add the miles for you.
We appreciate you choosing American and thank you for your understanding. We hope to welcome you onboard again soon and provide the experience you expect from us.
Sincerely,
Customer Relations
American Airlines"
I replied to the email at 1:11 pm and received a response at 3:20 pm that 7,500 AAdvantage miles had been added to each of our accounts. Considering it is possible to book a short-haul flight for 7.5K miles, I am happy.
The flight in question is part of a larger 5 segment itinerary. The outbound was flown in December. Weighted by earnings in Atmos Rewards, the LAX-LHR PE segment cost $356.
James
At 12:35 PDT today, I received an email from AA.
Hello James:
American Airlines is making temporary adjustments to its inflight dining experience on flights to and from London Heathrow (LHR) due to a disruption in our catering operations.
We are working diligently with our local teams and suppliers to ensure our customers' experience remains as consistent as possible during these temporary adjustments.
While we are making every effort to provide suitable alternatives, some meal items may be substituted, and we cannot guarantee availability of meal choices including pre-ordered and special meal requests.
As an apology for the inconvenience, we'd like to send you AAdvantage miles compensation; however, we need your AAdvantage account number.
You can simply reply to this email with your account number, and we'll add the miles for you. Not an AAdvantage member? You can easily sign up for an account by clicking here.
After your account has been created, please reply to this email with your account number, and we'll add the miles for you.
We appreciate you choosing American and thank you for your understanding. We hope to welcome you onboard again soon and provide the experience you expect from us.
Sincerely,
Customer Relations
American Airlines"
I replied to the email at 1:11 pm and received a response at 3:20 pm that 7,500 AAdvantage miles had been added to each of our accounts. Considering it is possible to book a short-haul flight for 7.5K miles, I am happy.
The flight in question is part of a larger 5 segment itinerary. The outbound was flown in December. Weighted by earnings in Atmos Rewards, the LAX-LHR PE segment cost $356.
James
Last edited by Flying for Fun; Mar 13, 2026 at 7:10 pm
Mar 14, 2026 | 7:40 am
#152
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,589
I couldn't pre-order but surprised to see a paper menu. Will try to take some food pics later. They still announced in the boarding area that there were catering issues. Onboard LHR ORD right now..
Mar 14, 2026 | 9:12 am
#153
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA 1MM CK, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,623
Agreed on how awful AA is at marketing improvements. The Centennial meal upgrades are a recent example - they are going to be serving caviar next month on many Flagship Business routes, but the fact that is happening is limited to one word on a single bullet a few hundred words into the press release. Even if it is just temporary, leading with that would get dozens more stories about it picked up.
I am scheduled to have a couple of ex-LHR J flights in the next month so well see how this plays out!
Mar 14, 2026 | 10:16 am
#154
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,589
Skipped the warm nuts.. But they served olives without a fork or napkin.
Starters were fine..the bread was 3 types combined into one, something related to the anniversary?
The Thai chicken curry was fine.
Skipped the dessert but I'm sure the chocolate mousse was great.
I overheard the FAs being confused about what was loaded.. For example, the bottled water was Harrogate which I think is typical on BA.. But they couldn't figure out which bottle was sparkling vs still. Otherwise, meal was served as per usual.
Mar 14, 2026 | 10:26 am
#156
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott LT Plat | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 13,257
Mar 14, 2026 | 12:31 pm
#158
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Silver, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 7,483
Skipped the warm nuts.. But they served olives without a fork or napkin.
Starters were fine..the bread was 3 types combined into one, something related to the anniversary?
The Thai chicken curry was fine.
Skipped the dessert but I'm sure the chocolate mousse was great.
I overheard the FAs being confused about what was loaded.. For example, the bottled water was Harrogate which I think is typical on BA.. But they couldn't figure out which bottle was sparkling vs still. Otherwise, meal was served as per usual.
Mar 15, 2026 | 11:56 am
#161
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2023
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 6
Echoing the experience from izzik and antmom, LHR to CLT on 14 Mar had the same Do&Co menu. Wife and I had pre-ordered online before the meltdown but the FAs still had that info and since we both picked chicken, that's what we got even though the _type_ of chicken was now different. Overall the meals were good, though.
Earlier in the week we ran into travel troubles and ended up on a United flight from ORD to LHR instead so we "missed out" on the catering troubles, fortunately.
Earlier in the week we ran into travel troubles and ended up on a United flight from ORD to LHR instead so we "missed out" on the catering troubles, fortunately.
Mar 17, 2026 | 11:39 am
#163
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: stl
Programs: AA LT Ex Plat/8.1mm. WN companion pass. SPG LT Titanium.
Posts: 3,179
I had it yesterday LHR-ORD and thought it was really good. From my perspective it surely cost more per meal that AA is used to spending but these were extraordinary circumstances given the existing catering problems. My prediction is it will take a while
for AA to bring it down to their normal standards.
for AA to bring it down to their normal standards.
Mar 20, 2026 | 1:36 pm
#164
Flyertalk Posting Legend Moderator: Credit Card Programs, American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Diners Club, Eco Travel, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA, IHG & Marriott Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 51,832
I booked a new flight LHR-CLT to fly on 25 March, and there is no option to choose or order special meals: A set meal will be served during your flight
Mar 24, 2026 | 1:10 am
#165
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFO, CLT
Programs: AA Bonsai EXP (2.9 MM), AS Atmos Ag
Posts: 1,556
Same message for me for a flight on April 12! It seems AA doesnt anticipate a fix for a few weeks more (at least based on set meal lingo for 3 weeks from now.)