Hot food is officially coming back on American Airlines this month
UPDATE (Feb. 16, 2022): Hot food is back on American — here's what it was like on day 1
ORIGINAL POST: It's finally time for hot meals to make a comeback across premium cabins on American Airlines.
The Fort Worth-based carrier confirmed to TPG on Wednesday that hot meals would officially start rolling out once again across its short-haul network beginning on Feb. 16.
While the airline is flipping the switch on its ovens, it'll take some time for every catering station and route to feature hot food. The airline hopes to have the rollout complete by the end of the month, it told TPG.
Starting on Feb. 16, domestic first-class passengers, along with those flying to Canada and Puerto Rico, on flights longer than 1,500 miles can expect:
- Warm mixed nuts
- New cold and hot entrees for breakfast
- Salad, appetizer and choice of hot entree for lunch and dinner
- Sorbet or ice cream cup or fruit and cheese plate for dessert
By the end of the month, the new first-class meals will roll out to U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico routes between 900 and 1,499 miles long. Expect the entree to be lighter than what's served on the longer routes listed above.
For flights shorter than 900 miles, American will continue to serve flyers a choice of pre-packaged snacks from a basket.
Perhaps even more exciting than hot food returning is news that American is switching up its menu.
Several fan-favorites are making a comeback, such as charcuterie and short rib, while other dishes will be new for the carrier, including grain bowls and entree-size salads.
For now, meals will be served all on one tray to minimize touchpoints.
American shared some marketing images of the new meals, and they look great. Of course, we'll reserve judgment until we sample the new menu items in the air.
Along with the new domestic first-class menu, the airline is also going to restart its pre-order meal option in April, which allows you to select your preferred meal choice between 30 days and 24 hours before your flight. This way, you'll essentially be guaranteed to be served your first choice.
Furthermore, special meals, such as kosher, vegetarian and diabetic, will be returning to the airline's menu beginning in May.
While American is now the last of the Big 3 U.S. carriers to announce the return of hot food to domestic first class, it'll offer the most exhaustive list of options when they resume. Neither Delta nor United has confirmed when special meals will return to domestic first class.
Interestingly, American's move to bring back hot food is seemingly at odds with its recent decision to cut the second beverage service in coach on domestic flights greater than 1,500 miles.
The airline is modifying its inflight service procedures in coach at the urging of the flight attendant union APFA "to limit customer touchpoints." Hopefully, for those seated in the back, the return of hot food will also mean that the second beverage service resumes.
Bringing back "real" first-class meals comes as American is playing catch up with Delta and United.
The former exclusively confirmed to TPG that hot meals would return to domestic first class beginning in March, but it didn't have any additional details to share.
Meanwhile, United is way ahead of the pack. The airline already resumed serving hot food back in June 2021. United also recently expanded its popular pre-order option, so travelers can reserve their preferred entree well before their flight.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees