I admit it. I do like airline food. Though I am getting better at turning things down, I still eat almost anything put before me on an airplane. Most of my domestic flying this year has been transcons to/from Newark on United Airlines, which feature a multi-course meal and menus in first class. Despite the griping by many frequent flyers about United’s subpar offerings, I tend to enjoy the food, even looking forward to it. My favorite meal of the day–both on the ground and on an airplane–is breakfast and I like the dependable yet unimaginary breakfasts that United provides. On my way to Dallas, though, to check out American Airlines’ new Airbus A319, I had a chance to sample an AA first class breakfast and I thought it was nothing short of delicious, the sort of food I would order in a restaurant.
Breakfast was simple yet filling–a choice of muffin or biscuit, both served warm, a small dish of fruit, a generous slice of Quiche Lorraine (with a few added tomato and pepper slices inside), a delightful cooked tomato covered in cheese, and a generous helping of asparagus.
On a flight under three hours, a meal is much more important than a seat to me. AA’s Admirals Club airport lounge at LAX had only croissants and donuts, unless you purchased a cereal bowl, so I was hungry when I boarded and AA did not disappoint.
Mike shares three different breakfasts he recently encountered on AA and what I like about American is the variation–the breakfast is good on United, but the menu has not changed in five years. American shows that variation is possible.
Is it just me or do I think AA has better catering/food than UA?
American definitely has better catering than United, in my experience.
“On a flight under three hours, a meal is much more important than a seat to me.”
@Matthew, that’s always been my biggest gripe with US Airways and the no meals on flights under 3.5hrs when AA, DL, and UA all manage to serve a full meal on many midcons, and an actual snack plate, rather than chips and cookies on shorter flights. Pity it is as US has really stepped up its catering game in domestic F over the past few years.
Matthew – try flying a non-UA transcon and then see how you feel about it! The Jeff McMuffin is truly awful.
I’ve never been disappointed with the meals on AA.. Even on routes like DFW-DEN, a 641 mile flight, they don’t get cheap like UA/CO and do a Jeff McMuffin..
@UA-NYC: I finally tried the Jeff McMuffin a few weeks ago… only got through one bite.
@Jim: It’s not just you!
Phenomenal!
Anyone know what the UA policy is with the Jeff McMuffin? I assume that on flights less than 1,000 mi, expect that or cold cereal.
Thumbs up!!