Earlier I wrote about Singapore Airlines’ Book the Cook program, which is the best meal pre-order program in the airline industry. While it doesn’t offer nearly as much variety, in this post I wanted to talk about American Airlines’ meal pre-order program.
As an AAdvantage Executive Platinum member, this is something I use almost every time I fly American in a premium cabin, so let me explain why. In separate posts I’ve written about how to pre-order meals with Delta Air Lines and how to pre-order meals with United Airlines.
In this post:
Reserve your meal before you fly American
There aren’t many areas where American surpasses Delta and United when it comes to tech, but meal pre-ordering is one of them. American has been offering the option to pre-select your main course on many first and business class flights for over a decade, well ahead of its peers. So, how exactly does this work?
For which flights can you pre-select your meal?
American allows first and business class passengers to pre-select their meal. This is available for all first and business class flights where a meal is served. This applies on both American Airlines and American Eagle flights, but doesn’t work on codeshare flights on other airlines. It also doesn’t work on flights where just refreshments are served.
When can you pre-select your meal?
You can pre-select your American meal between 24 hours and 30 days prior to departure of a particular flight segment. So just before the check-in window opens, you can make your selection.
How do you pre-select your meal?
Pre-selecting your American meal is easy. Just go to aa.com and go to the manage your booking function. You can do this either by entering your six digit record locator, or by logging into your AAdvantage account.
If you have an eligible ticket, you’ll see that at the bottom of the itinerary it states “reserve a meal.” Just click that link, and then you’ll see the options available to you.
What are the pre-select meal options?
Are American’s meal pre-select options simply what you’d otherwise be offered onboard, or do you get access to more options? It depends on the flight. The pre-select option will always give you access to the options that would otherwise be available onboard.
However, in some cases you also get access to one or two extra options, which will be noted as such during the selection process. This could include a charcuterie plate, or something from American’s wellness menu.
Another nice thing is that the meal pre-order page actually explains the details of each dish. When you’re onboard, a flight attendant might only describe a dish as “lasagna,” or something, while you can get a better sense of what’s being served online.
How does this compare to ordering a special meal?
Separate from American’s option to pre-select your meal, the airline also has special meals for passengers with dietary restrictions. This can be reserved through the same method as above.
Special meals are available to all passengers on long haul international flights. It’s also available for first and business class passengers on select domestic flights. I haven’t fully figured out the pattern as to which flights have special meals, because sometimes you’ll find it available on a two hour flight in one market, but not on a flight of a similar length in another market.
If you select a special meal, that will encompass the entire meal, including any appetizers, desserts, etc. While the primary intention is that this is for those with special dietary needs, I do sometimes order special meals just to mix things up from American’s otherwise boring choices. In particular, I’ve had pretty good experiences with Asian vegetarian and Kosher options.
Why I always pre-select my meal with American
Unlike some foreign airlines, American generally loads exactly as many meals in premium cabins as there are passengers (especially in domestic first class). If you don’t select your meal in advance, expect that you’ll get what’s left over, and not your first choice.
That’s because a significant number of people pre-order meals, and unless you’re the first to be asked for your meal preference, they may have already run out of your choice by the time they get to you.
American’s catering is nothing to get excited about (to put it mildly), but there are definitely some options that are better than others (or at least less bad).
Bottom line
If you’re flying American in first or business class, you can pre-select your meal between 24 hours and 30 days of departure. While American otherwise isn’t great with tech, it’s awesome for how long American has offered this feature. It’s something I’d highly recommend taking advantage of, since you’re otherwise not very likely to get your first choice onboard.
If you’re an American flyer, do you always select your meal in advance?
I have an upcoming flight in Premium economy on AA PHL to BCN and only two options are available-Vegetarian Shepherds Pie and Braised Beef. Is this because I paid for an upgrade so they limit my choices or is it customary to have only two choices, neither of which appears appealing. Any recommendations on the most appealing "special meal" if the above are indeed my only choices. Very disappointed.
I preordered Gluten Free on a DFW to MIA flight July 1 in business lie flat and wow, it was amazing. I am not gluten free but when I noticed the regular offerings, I took a chance. It paid off. The service was detailed and the friendly FA told me I was the only one who preordered gluten free and the only one to get bread with the meal. I was honestly hesitant with the gluten free when I preordered but the food was 10/10 in presentation and in taste.
Love the sundaes
My partner and I always pre-order the meal, and I've yet to be on a flight where anyone else in the cabin has pre-ordered. This definitely raises the chances we'll get our first choice.
Additionally, on 2 occasions my desired meal wasn't loaded. Once, clearly a catering miss; the second time, a 12-hour delay pushed us from dinner service to breakfast service. Even so, the cabin crew acknowledged my pre-order, apologized sincerely, and gave me...
My partner and I always pre-order the meal, and I've yet to be on a flight where anyone else in the cabin has pre-ordered. This definitely raises the chances we'll get our first choice.
Additionally, on 2 occasions my desired meal wasn't loaded. Once, clearly a catering miss; the second time, a 12-hour delay pushed us from dinner service to breakfast service. Even so, the cabin crew acknowledged my pre-order, apologized sincerely, and gave me first pick from what was loaded.
There's really no downside to pre-ordering, especially given it's easy to complete from the website or within the app. I'll always pre-order so (1) I have an idea what's onboard (2) I increase my chances of a first choice and (3) I perhaps get to enjoy a bit of extra service from the cabin crew for showing I came prepared.
I always try to pre order
Although I will disagree with Lucky. I think AA's premium domestic offerings are miles ahead of delta for Lunch and Dinner, as well as their liquor brands.
I can’t remember the last time I flew a DL long enough to warrant a meal, so
I can’t compare apples to apples, but AA’s meals are hit or miss. Some are good, some are awful.
But can't preorder if you get upgraded closer to boarding I guess, so out of luck there.(ie. gold upgrade).
I always preorder just for the reason you said- so they don’t run out of my option.
The food isn’t top level but it’s usually somewhat decent, and I am a picky eater.
The problem is not that they offer this type of service but that they do not execute it well. First the special meals look sad and not very good. Second I have been on flights where people were told that their special meal was not available. It is better not to offer something than to do it in a sloppy manner.
https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/emirates-introduces-onboard-meal-preordering-service/preview/920baf1154c810fa3ef9b514b8cc884aee1ff8f3
I recently took LAX-HND with AA and let me tell you, their food was beyond inedible. I was in 2A and the FA told me they ran out of Japanese option?!?
Anyway, I chose the steak and it was as chewy as car tire. There was no sauce and the veggie tasted like water in the Dead Sea. I will stay away from AA from now on.
That's why it's always better to fly AA's oneworld partner, Japan Airlines. I just flew with JAL this past winter in business class. The food was amazing. There were 3 meals, with abundant snacks too. My only complaint is that JAL's SkySuite III seats are hard as rock. My back hurt from sleeping on it, and I couldn't sleep well since it was so hard.
A few years back I pre ordered an Asian vegetarian meal from DFW -EWR. It was tasty and fragrant but my seatmate must have been wondering what the heck. This was a suggestion Ben had made in a similar article.
For international J - AA has multiple choices. Even with pre-orders, there is no rebalancing quanities based on orders.
I have had a situation where pre-order ran out and offered something else. Then later they find it. I think what is going on is that FA held back (say a fish dish) when one or more passengers declined a meal. FA can eat left over. Then the FA holds the choice - and passengers can be denied pre-order or choices are removed from selection.
@Randy, what are you talking about? Have you ever gotten up out of your seat and asked to see in one of the Barbie ovens? I think not. If you had, all your nonsense would be in the toilet. Take a minute next time you’re onboard and ask to see what those ovens look like. Things get buried and stuck. Those ovens were designed by a bunch of people that sit around all day in offices and conference rooms that can’t even find their way out of a paper bag.
American USED to have some amazingly good meals to pre-order in both F and Y, specifically the seafood platter and The Great American Cheeseburger. Ah the halcyon days.
American Airlines catering is just the worst, period
The only time I feel like I ever missed out was not pre ordering the Japanese meal set from HND in J . The purser even explained to me that they alternate days between taking meal orders from row 1 to the rear and from row 5 forward on the 788. I happened to be in row 5. At least I got 2 2.5 hr naps on that 10 hr flight.
Not days, they alternate even and odd flight numbers, forward-aft, aft-forward.
Charcuterie is a main meal? Meh! In fact meh to all the meals shown. They look like something you'd get in coach.
I have never been able to order a kosher meal o an American Airlines domestic flight. I am platinum and fly premium class many times and have been told countless times that American doesn’t offer kosher meals on domestic flights and there’s nothing they can do about it.
That is incorrect. You do have to pre-order Kosher meals, but they do offer them. See: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/experience/dining/special-meals-and-nut-allergies.jsp
Flying 1st between SAT and BWI on. two occasions recently, I had chosed the b raised short ribs. The first trip it was quite good. The second trip not so much. My favorite on both flights was the bowl with a generous serving of warm mixed nuts prior to the meal.
All of the photos look like the meals would give you some serious gas before landing.
The menu pictured doesn’t impress me. Still rather inexpensive offerings.
The online descriptions are great, but I usually order the "wellness" option that the FA will then shout at me "Oh you ordered the ALTERNATIVE option." It's also worth noting that if you change your flights often (which I usually have to do), you'll have to choose again.
I know AA really doesn't give a damn about premium cabin meal service. But, do they really need to go through so much effort to make the crap that they do serve so unappealing? That broccoli salad looks like it was just thrown into the bowl from a distance. The same with the hummus. Jeesh...
I often order the Kosher meal myself, not because I'm Jewish (I'm not) but because I don't eat cheese. And...
I know AA really doesn't give a damn about premium cabin meal service. But, do they really need to go through so much effort to make the crap that they do serve so unappealing? That broccoli salad looks like it was just thrown into the bowl from a distance. The same with the hummus. Jeesh...
I often order the Kosher meal myself, not because I'm Jewish (I'm not) but because I don't eat cheese. And AA likes to slather cheese on everything as if it were mortar on bricks. Meat and dairy are not mixed together in Kosher meals so I'm generally assured it won't be on the plate, unless its the dreaded cheese blintzes for breakfast. It would be nice if they would thaw the meals first, though. The entrée plate is heated, but the fruit, breads, and dessert are often served still frozen. But heck, that's one way to avoid the additional carbs!
AirBerlin, which was half-LCC offered paid-for pre-booked meals in Economy.
So it's not difficult to do.
And that's not why they went bankrupt!
I pre-ordered meals for a few flights and when I boarded the flight attendant said “I’m sorry they didn’t load your special meal”. In fact, I ordered normal items and that’s what I ended up eating.
American’s system was incredibly botched. Glad I still got to enjoy what I had originally selected online!
W/P also offers preorder options.
The inconsistency of special meals by hub is crazy. Example - whenever I get the Asian Veg or Hindu out of Miami around 7pm it is basically a pathetic cold mezze plate with mushy cold stuffed grape leaves and some pita bread that looks strikingly similar to the admirals club offering. Meanwhile out of JFK it’s always a hot chickpea based meal. And delicious. Would be great if the special meals were more consistent.
So the first screenshot, my choice is basically two vegetarian meals or a lot of fatty meats and cheeses? (I thought the Lasagna looked good, but if there's no meat in it, hard pass for me). I'd have to pass on all 3 unfortunately.
So although something looks good, you won’t eat it?
Not if it's "veggie" lasagna in any way, shape, or form.
My wife an I just booked domestic 1st class tickets from LAS - CLT on 8/5 and we were able to pre-order our meals at the time of booking even though it was 3 weeks out.
Instead of waiting 1 or 2 days out.
“we were able to pre-order our meals at the time of booking even though it was 3 weeks out.”
From Ben’s post: “You can pre-select your American meal between 24 hours and 30 days prior to departure”
"As an AAdvantage Executive Platinum member, this is something I use almost every time I fly American in a premium cabin, so let me explain why."
This statement implies that this is exclusive to EXP members only. That's not the case, You don't have to be EXP to pre-order meals.
Agreed. An irrelevant and potentially confusing detail to include.