American Airlines Upgrading Domestic First-Class Meals

American Airlines announced plans to offer new dining options in its domestic first-class cabins starting in May.

The Fort Worth-based airline is bringing back the option of having a salad as an entrée on flights between 1,000 and 2,200 miles (which translates to flight times between two hours and 45 minutes and four hours and 30 minutes).  The salad will include a choice of chicken, beef, or shrimp served on the side, and the airline will offer four different types of salads in rotation.

In addition, American will replace its PM Lite Bites snack basket that contains sandwiches, fruit, and cookies, with a choice of plated snacks.  The new choices include fruit and cheese, spinach dip and pita bread, a charcuterie platter (which includes salami, a mozzarella cheese ball, olives, and pita bread), hummus and pita bread, and spinach and humus.

Flights from 700 to 899 miles (two hours to two hours and 30 minutes) will get warm nuts and the new plated snack selection.  Flights between 900 and 999 miles (two hours and 30 minutes to two hours and 45 minutes), as well as what the airline refers to as “exception market” flights (i.e. those that are too short for a meal but need one for competitive purposes such as Chicago-Austin, Washington D.C.-Miami, and Dallas/Fort Worth-Mexico City), will get warm nuts and the plated snacks between 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., and will get their standard meal service, for example at lunch or dinner, outside of those windows.

Passengers on flights from 700 to 2,199 miles (two hours to four hours and 30 minutes) will be served warm nuts and cookies after 8:00 p.m., and passengers on flights over 2,200 miles, or 4 hours and 30 minutes (including redeyes that depart after 8:00 p.m.), will get warm nuts, the new snacks, and the pre-arrival continental breakfast box.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)