Does American Airlines Serve Food in 2024? Everything You Need to Know About Dining in the Skies

A nice meal at 35,000 feet is one of the best parts of traveling for many passengers. But does American Airlines serve food during flights nowadays? What type of cuisine and drinks can you expect? This complete guide has all the details on dining with American Airlines in 2024.

A Decade of Decline in Airline Food Quality

Airline food and drinks have suffered in quality and variety over the past 10 years across the industry. In American Airline‘s economy class, the former hot meals and premium snacks have been replaced by barebones biscuits, mini pretzels, and if you‘re lucky, a cold sandwich.

According to the 2022 North America Airline Satisfaction Study, passenger satisfaction with food quality declined 8% between 2021 and 2022 across major carriers like American, United and Delta. This continues a decade long trend of cost-cutting on cuisine.

The downgrade in economy class meals has coincided with grotesque financial performance for these airlines. While profit margins have exceeded 15-20% lately, customers suffer through meager portions of low-quality, tired food.

But don‘t lose hope yet – with the right airline cabin and flight time, you can still get an appetizing, restaurant-quality meal in American Airlines First Class on lengthy routes.

Meals & Drinks By Cabin Class

Here‘s an overview of the dining experience offered onboard American Airlines for domestic and shorter international flights:

Main Cabin Economy

The old expectation of a hot meal, even on a 5+ hour flight, is long gone in coach. At most, Main Cabin flyers can hope for a complimentary mini bag of pretzels, Biscoff cookies or peanuts along with self-serve soft drinks, coffee and tea.

On select longer flights exceeding 1,500 miles, a cold breakfast or lunch/dinner snack box may get served containing:

• Sandwich or wrap
• Side salad
• Piece of fruit
• Brownie bite
• Bottled water

Bring your own food if you have any substantial appetite or dietary needs. And be prepared to pay $6+ for even a basic cheese plate or tiny bottle of wine.

Premium Economy

American Airlines markets Premium Economy seats for long haul international routes like USA ➝ Asia and USA ➝ Europe.

The dining experience feels like a throwback to the 2000‘s glory days here – relaxed, tableclothed meal services with metal cutlery. Passengers enjoy:

• Multi-course lunch/dinners like seared chicken breast, rice pilaf, vegetables
• Robust breakfasts – omelets, chicken apple sausage, roasted potatoes
• Self-serve premium snacks all flight – cheese, crudité, sandwiches
• Premium alcoholic beverages

For cross country and medium haul flights under ~5 hours, Premium diners receive an elevated cold meal box with high quality ingredients like hummus dip, antipasto salad and fine cheeses.

First Class

Fly first class on American‘s Boeing 777s, Airbus A321s or transcontinental Airbus 321Ts to access the best cuisine in the sky on domestic routes.

Their Flagship First Dining Menu offers restaurant-style courses served on fine china with actual metal cutlery. Expect indulgent dishes reminiscent of luxury hotels, like:

• Lobster frittata, chicken apple sausage, fruit platter, pastries (breakfast)
• Hearts of palm ceviche, soup, grilled shrimp salad (lunch/dinner)
• Braised short ribs, pan roasted chicken breast, truffle mac and cheese, risotto (hot entrees)
• Cheese plates with fig jam, crudites, warm mixed nuts (snacks)

And passengers can pre-select their main meal up to 30 days before departure. With an ever-changing selection of premium wines, cocktails and after-dinner cordials, First Class diners will be pampered with 5-star service all flight long.

Meal Schedule By Flight Duration

Wondering what time of day your flight needs to depart to receive lunch or dinner? Here are American Airlines‘ standard meal service windows:

On select red-eye overnight flights, a special Before Landing meal service occurs 90 minutes prior to arrival.

Pro Tips for Enjoying Your Flight Meal

Follow these expert tips for getting the most satisfying food and drinks onboard your next American Airlines flight:

• Bring your own snacks to supplement tiny portions or fill hunger gaps in economy. Protein bars, nuts, sliced fruit and crackers travel easily.
• Pre-select your meal in First Class up to 30 days pre-departure to get your top entrée choice.
• Ask flight attendants about any special meals or premium food for sale not listed on the menu. Sometimes they keep luxury snacks reserved only for those who ask!
• Test your taste buds with airline cuisine before critical business meetings or events. Some vinegars, spices and ingredients may cause dragon breath!
• Request special meals well ahead for religious, medical or other dietary needs. Kosher, halal, vegan, diabetic and more are often available.
• Pair sweet whites like Moscato d’Asti or Riesling with breakfast. Bloody Mary’s, rose lemonades or lighter reds like Pinot Noir make good lunch/dinner cocktails.

The Bottom Line on American Airlines Dining

While economy class cuisine has severely declined, American Airlines still offers elevated dining experiences in Premium Economy and First Class cabins. With the right cabin, flight time and pre-planning, you can delight your tastebuds with exceptional meals paired beautifully with wine and cocktails.

Bon appétit and happy travels!