American Airlines Is Expanding Its Special Meals Options
American Airlines is beefing up its culinary options. Beginning next month, the carrier will offer passengers more choices with regard to its special meal program.
Currently, AA offers passengers the following selections when it comes to special meals: diabetic, gluten intolerant, Kosher, Muslim and vegan. However, as of July 1, 2017, American will expand its special meal program to include the following (American hasn't published the new options online yet, so descriptions are from British Airways on AA's site):
- Hindu meal — Does not contain beef, beef derivatives, veal or pork. It is not a meatless meal.
- Asian vegetarian meal — Does not contain fish, shellfish, meat, poultry or eggs. It is a meatless meal and spicy in content.
- Low fat/low cholesterol meal — High fiber meal with reduced amounts of fat.
- Lacto-ovo meal — Does not contain meat, fish or seafood. May contain dairy products such as milk, butter, cheese and eggs, etc.
- Low sodium meal — Excludes use of salt, MSG and baking soda/powder. Instead, herbs and spices are used to flavor the meal.
- Non-lactose meal — Excludes cheese, dairy products and their derivatives and lactose or milk products.
- Baby's meal — Baby food and baby milk.
- Child's — Contains a combination of familiar and fun foods.
- Bland meal — For those with digestive tract and gut disorders. Excludes mustard, pickles, garlic, fried and fatty food.
If you're interested in ordering a special meal, you can order 24 hours in advance of your departure time. However, only select customers have access to the new menu. First and business-class passengers on the following nonstop routes will have access to the new special meals:
- New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO)
- Miami (MIA) to LAX
- All Hawaii and domestic long-haul flights more than 2,200 miles
In addition, all passengers — regardless of class of service — will have access to the special meals when traveling to or from any of the following destinations:
- Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand
- Belo Horizonte (CNF), Brasilia (BSB), Rio de Janeiro (GIG) and Sao Paulo (GRU) in Brazil
- Buenos Aires (EZE) in Argentina
- Santiago (SCL) in Chile
- Montevideo (MVD) in Uruguay
We like seeing AA provide more option for passengers with dietary restrictions. Earlier this year, the carrier also announced it would be adding free meals to economy passengers on some domestic flights. Keep in mind that these new options won't be available until July 1, 2017. If you want to order one of the new meals, be sure to request your meal in advance of the flight to ensure what you want is available.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.