A Look At American Airlines’ First Class Meals & Drinks

American Airlines recently rolled out a new menu for its domestic first class flights. While airplane food used to be the subject of jokes, for the new menu, American has partnered with Chef and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Ellie Krieger, who has clearly taken the new dining experience seriously, prioritizing options to accentuate flavor and provide immune support, among other health benefits.

Something new

The carrier’s recent menu refresh was the first change in meals since 2019. American Airlines, like most oneworld alliance members, and indeed many airlines worldwide, will sometimes change its menu depending on the route of flight. Generally speaking, meal service is only available domestically on flights spanning over 900 miles.

When flying with American Airlines, it’s always best practice to order ahead of time, as the carrier won’t fly many extra meals, and it allows you to get exactly what you want as opposed to whatever is available. Menus are available inside the American Airlines app when tickets are purchased.

Photo: American Airlines

While the menu is still new, and you have to be a ticket holder to see it, View From The Wing covered six new meals last month. The new options, which reportedly have been available on all domestic flights since February 14th, include a Mediterranean bowl, chicken breast and Mojo sauce served with poblano black bean rice and plantains, and penne pasta with a plant-based ‘meat’ ragu and ricotta.

Digging deeper

Additionally, American Airlines’ new domestic first class menu offers an edamame and mandarin orange slaw salad, chicken parmesan with strozzapreti pasta and chunky tomato sauce, and a vegetable enchilada with red rice and green chili sauce. It is currently unclear if the carrier’s famed short rib will be available on future flights.

American does publish some nutritional facts on its website for a few meals, although these may be from the old offering. These include golden chicken with crispy potatoes, blistered green beans, and tomato chutney as well as a harvest bowl with lemon parsley dressing, a dip duo appetizer, and a frittata breakfast plate.

Photo: American Airlines

Since the previous menu in 2019, American Airlines has been in a partnership with the James Beard Foundation, which is a non-profit organization that helps support America’s food culture. As the official airline partner of the foundation, American has extended the culinary experience to the air and to its Flagship lounges at select airports.

Drinks and special meals

The airline advertises that its lounge menu includes chef-inspired dishes, locally sourced ingredients, signature wines, craft beers, and hand-crafted cocktails. However, onboard is a different experience.

Indeed, American Airlines generated headlines when it was discovered that it was limiting its selection of wine and doing away with printed wine lists in first and business class entirely. The oneworld alliance, for its part, was named as the best airline alliance for its wine selection.

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American Airlines also has a variety of beer, wine, and spirits that complement its inflight menu. The carrier says that its wines go through an extremely selective process as part of its award-winning wine program.

The airline also offers specialty meals to cater to those passengers with medical needs. This includes Kosher and Halal meal options as well as Hindu dietary practices. Diabetics can enjoy meals with reduced sugar and special carbohydrates to control blood sugar, and those with gluten intolerance can enjoy meals without wheat, rye, barley, and oats.