American Airlines Rolling Out Wellness Menu

Anything that doesn't look like vomit or taste like wet paper would be a step up for American. Worst food of any airline I've ever flown.

When these come out there should be a side by side comparison of the marketing photos above and what actually comes out on the tray. I have endless faith in AAs ability to turn these into a disgusting mess of a meal that in no way even resembles the marketing photos.

Coincidence. Someone else also named 'John' decides to write the first post just before me! My carrier of choice is not AA, but I give them credit for devising something better. I have my doubts though. I mean, it would be a miracle and a half if the actual product looked anywhere near as attractive as this plated and staged example.

With a lack of fat, no way in hell these "wellness" meals reheat well. Junk.

I hate to be the resident cynic in the OMAAT tribe but one man’s ceiling is another man’s floor. In other words, the concept of “healthy” is left to one’s perception. As a person who would rather die than become a vegetarian much less a vegan, count me out with the movement that equates healthy eating with plant based foods. I’m a carnivore, I eat full fat meat, full fat dairy and very little carbs, whole foods with no added sugars. My flight days are fraught with picking through a whole bunch of bad offerings. There’s nothing wrong with sausages and a cheese omelette, however, the AA omelette is powdered eggs (flour based), with mystery spices that are disgusting and running processed “cheese” spread. How can you F*up a cheese omelette? Leave it to James Beard.

Amen to everything you said.

This doesn’t need to be so difficult. Carriers that I have worked for in the past conducted numerous surveys, all with the same result. Customers want recognizable food and more of it. It doesn’t need to be fancy. Quality lean meats, properly cooked vegetables, etc. There are some airlines that do this very well, and not surprisingly they don’t blow a ridiculous amount of money on celebrity chefs. Instead, they put the money into quality ingredients.

My wife and I received surveys from AA regarding menu choices. The questions focused on plant-based protein substitutes. The fact is that AA already has a wide range of dietary types from which to choose. If someone wants a plant-based meal, "vegan" is already a choice. As such, introduction of plant-based protein substitutes would not be checking a box that was not already checked. It sounds more like a cost-reduction initiative.

I recently had one of these meals from Vegas to PHL- and it was fresh and good! The plating was a bit messier than these photos though..I would a post a picture if I could. The meal composed of black beans, brown rice, a large side salad with edamame ,sliced grilled chicken in a light mild sauce and surprisingly fresh avocado “mouse”. The flight attendant requested feedback - huge thumbs up, seriously, I was surprised ..

I prefer avocado rat but I get that people's tastes vary.

haha well I should’ve just written ferret instead of mouse

Amen. Recently took a Delta One flight JFK to SEA and the best “meat” option was some mini chicken meatballs dish where the meatballs were basically a side-show. That was out of SIX possible options. Everything was marketed as over-the-top fancy and healthy, but mostly equated to a bunch of rabbit food and fake meats

There is 'John', and there is 'John' that stalks Eskimos.

Fruit and cheese plates, veggies and hummus, charcuterie boards, and grain bowls are all good by me. Anyone remember the soup, salad, and hot half sandwich lunch served on domestic flights? (Yes it was before 9/11). Simplicity.

What is this? Just pick 8 or 9 unrelated healthy items off the list and slap 'em on a plate, and voila, your healthy 'meal'.
While it is much better than the usual carb-laden rubbish, it doesn't look all that appetizing. Working out what goes with what and presenting it nicely is clearly a work in progress for AA.
Baby steps......

Lol - Americans needing wellness diets from airlines. Probably the one and only place where they will dine on something nutritious.

Just give us water to help us lose weight and reduce the obesity epidemic. We win, the airline wins and the health industry wins.

That looks like who ever ingests it will have gas before landing. Regular food is a safer bet at 35,000 feet.

Wasn't thrilled when we saw our choices for an upcoming flight the end if October. I'm all about wellness but the choices for lunch were totally unappetizing. What about a nice salad?

Agree!

Hard pass on that so called meal. I'll grab a real meal in the terminal before getting on the plane.

I completely agree with Donna and Uldguy. Especially on long international flights, I want good food that is recognizable. I’m not a Vegan and not a vegetarian either. I too am a carnivore and enjoy meat. The healthy options should be available as just that, an option. One has to think, is AA cost cutting again? Are these healthy meals cheaper to serve passengers? Couldn’t care less about celebrity chefs. Put the expense of these so called chefs into the actual food. Yes, I also enjoy the Breakfast Omelettes with cheese and mushrooms with a side of sausage. If I start to see only “healthy options” I will unfortunately have to look at other carriers that understand not all passengers want food fit for a dog.

I fully agree with Donna. I travel frequently , specially ex-US, and I cannot stand the food of American carriers anymore!

Can any of the options be Gluten Free? American Airlines doesn’t know the answer to that question.

I don't care for it and I eat pretty healthy, really very few choices for lunch unless you order something "special" and none of those include meat. On our flight coming up in Dec. shows just a grain bowl no chicken wheres the photos show the roasted chicken with the grain bowl which would make it at least more substantial. Only meat offering right now on our flight is salami plate which doesn't sound too good for lunch.