Have you ever booked a flight with American Airlines, eagerly anticipating your journey, only to realize after hitting that "confirm" button that you completely forgot to request a special meal, or perhaps you just changed your mind about what you wanted to eat? Don't fret! Changing your meal preference on American Airlines is often quite straightforward, but it does come with a few important guidelines and deadlines. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, ensuring you get the meal that best suits your needs and cravings.
Step 1: Determine Your Meal Eligibility and Options
Before you dive into changing your meal, the first thing you need to do is understand if your flight is even eligible for a meal service, and what types of meals American Airlines typically offers. Not all flights, especially shorter domestic ones, include a complimentary meal.
1.1 Understanding Meal Service Availability
Domestic Flights: Generally, on domestic flights within the U.S., complimentary meals are primarily offered in First and Business Class, and sometimes in Premium Economy on longer routes. For Main Cabin passengers, meals are usually available for purchase on flights over a certain distance (often over 900 miles). Snack baskets might be available on flights between 500-899 miles during meal times.
International Flights: Long-haul international flights almost always include complimentary meal service in all cabin classes (Main Cabin, Premium Economy, Business, and First Class). The selection and number of courses will vary by cabin.
Flight Duration: The length of your flight is a key factor. Shorter flights might only offer snacks or beverages, while longer flights (especially those crossing meal times) will have more substantial options.
1.2 Exploring American Airlines' Meal Categories
American Airlines offers a wide array of special meals designed to accommodate various dietary, medical, and religious needs. These are typically available on meal-eligible flights, especially longer ones. Some common special meal options include:
Vegetarian/Vegan Meals:
Asian Vegetarian Meal (AVML): Spicy vegetarian, limited dairy.
Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian Meal (VLML): Vegetarian, may include eggs and dairy.
Vegetarian Vegan Meal (VGML): No meat, fish, fowl, eggs, or dairy products.
Vegetarian Jain Meal (VJML): No onion, garlic, root vegetables, or animal products.
Medical/Dietary Meals:
Bland Meal (BLML): Simple cooking for digestive sensitivities.
Diabetic Meal (DBML): Suitable for reduced sugar, hyperglycemic, hypoglycemic, and carbohydrate-controlled requests.
Gluten-Intolerant Meal (GFML): Eliminates wheat, rye, barley, and oats. Note: American Airlines states this meal eliminates these ingredients but does not guarantee a 100% gluten-free environment due to catering processes.
Low Fat Meal (LFML): High fiber, low fat.
Low Sodium Meal (LSML): No added salt, MSG, or baking powder/soda.
Non-Lactose Meal (NLML): No cheese, dairy products, or their derivatives.
Religious Meals:
Hindu Non-Vegetarian Meal (HNML): Prepared according to Hindu dietary practices, may include dairy, curries, and spicy flavors.
Kosher Meal (KSML): Prepared to comply with Jewish dietary laws. Availability may be restricted from certain airports.
Muslim Meal (MOML): Does not contain pork, pork by-products, or alcohol.
Child/Baby Meals:
Child Meal (CHML): Foods appealing to kids aged 2-5.
Baby Meal (BBML): Selection of commercial baby food for children 2 and younger.
It's crucial to remember that the availability of these special meals can vary by route and catering facilities.
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| How To Change Meal On American Airlines |
Step 2: Accessing Your Reservation
Once you know what kind of meal you're looking for, the next step is to access your flight reservation. American Airlines offers a couple of convenient ways to do this.
2.1 Through the American Airlines Website
This is often the most comprehensive way to manage your booking.
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Visit AA.com: Go to the official American Airlines website.
Navigate to "Manage Trip": On the homepage, look for a section titled "Manage Trip," "My Trips," or "Find Your Trip." This is usually prominently displayed.
Enter Your Details: You'll typically need to enter your:
Six-character Record Locator (PNR): This is the booking reference code found on your confirmation email.
Last Name: The last name used on the reservation.
Alternatively, you can log into your AAdvantage account if you booked while logged in. This will automatically display your upcoming trips.
2.2 Using the American Airlines Mobile App
The American Airlines mobile app is incredibly useful for managing your travel on the go.
Download and Open the App: If you haven't already, download the American Airlines app from your device's app store.
Log In or Find Your Trip:
If you have an AAdvantage account and booked while logged in, simply log into the app, and your trips should appear on the home screen.
If you don't have an account or didn't book logged in, you can select "Find Trip" and enter your record locator and last name.
Select Your Flight: Once your trip is displayed, tap on the specific flight segment for which you wish to change your meal.
Step 3: Locating the Meal Selection Option
After accessing your reservation, you'll need to navigate to the section where meal preferences can be managed.
3.1 On the Website
Scroll Down to "Passengers" or "Meals": Once your trip details are open, scroll down the page. You should see a section titled "Passengers" or specifically "Meals."
Look for an "Edit" or "Pencil" Icon: Within the "Meals" box, there will usually be a small edit icon (often a pencil) that allows you to make changes. Click on this.
3.2 On the Mobile App
Tap on Your Flight Details: After selecting your flight, look for sections related to your booking details.
Find "Meals" or "Special Meal Request": Similar to the website, there will be a dedicated section for meals, often under "Passengers" or "Special Requests." Tap on this.
Step 4: Selecting or Changing Your Meal
Now for the main event! This is where you'll make your desired meal selection.
4.1 Pre-ordering Standard Meals (Premium Cabins)
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If you are flying in a premium cabin (First, Business, or sometimes Premium Economy on specific international routes), American Airlines often allows you to pre-order your main course from a selection of standard menu items.
You'll typically see a list of available entrees. Simply click on your preferred option.
Remember: This pre-order generally only applies to the main course. Appetizers, side salads, and desserts are usually determined by the airline catering and plated onboard.
4.2 Requesting Special Meals
If you need a special meal (vegetarian, gluten-free, kosher, etc.), look for a "Special Meals" tab or a similar option within the meal selection interface.
Clicking this will usually present you with a dropdown list or a series of options for various special meal types.
Carefully read the descriptions to ensure the meal aligns with your dietary needs. For instance, a "Gluten-Intolerant Meal" might differ from a "Strictly Gluten-Free" meal due to potential for cross-contamination.
Select the special meal that applies to you.
4.3 Confirming Your Selection
After making your choice, ensure you click the "Save" or "Confirm" button. Your selection won't be registered otherwise! You should receive a confirmation message or see your updated meal preference reflected in your booking details.
Step 5: Adhering to Deadlines and Important Considerations
This is perhaps the most critical step. American Airlines has strict deadlines for meal changes, especially for special meals.
5.1 The 24-Hour Cutoff Rule
Most meal changes, especially for special meals, must be made at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled flight departure.
For premium cabin pre-orders, you can typically select your meal up to 30 days before departure, but the final cutoff is also 24 hours.
What happens if you miss the deadline? If you attempt to change your meal within 24 hours of departure, the option will likely be locked, and the system will not display it. At this point, your previous selection (or no selection if you hadn't made one) will be in the catering queue.
5.2 Other Key Considerations
Last-Minute Bookings/Upgrades: If you book a flight less than 24 hours before departure, or if you receive an upgrade into a premium cabin within 24 hours, you may not be able to pre-order or request a special meal online.
Allergies (Severe): While American Airlines offers special meals for gluten intolerance, they do not guarantee a nut-free environment (they serve tree nut products). For severe allergies, it's highly recommended to bring your own food and inform the flight crew onboard. You can also request to pre-board to wipe down your seating area.
Changes to Your Flight: If you make any changes to your flight (e.g., flight time, date, or route), you will likely need to re-select your meal preference. Your previous selection may be lost.
Booking Through Third Parties: If you booked your flight through a travel agency or a third-party website, it's still generally possible to manage your meal preference directly on the American Airlines website or app using your record locator. However, if you encounter issues, you might need to contact your travel agency first.
Step 6: Contacting American Airlines Customer Service (If Needed)
If you encounter any issues, cannot find the option, or have missed the online deadline, your best bet is to contact American Airlines customer service directly.
American Airlines Reservations Phone Number: You can call their main reservations line. For calls within the U.S., the number is typically 1-800-433-7300. If you are outside the U.S., check the American Airlines website for the specific contact number for your region.
Be Prepared: Have your record locator, flight details, and desired meal preference ready when you call. Explain your situation clearly. While they have deadlines, sometimes agents can make exceptions or provide guidance, especially for last-minute special meal requests for medical reasons.
Social Media: Sometimes, reaching out to American Airlines via their official social media channels (like Twitter or Facebook) can also be an effective way to get assistance, especially for quick questions or troubleshooting.
By following these steps, you should be able to successfully change or select your meal on your upcoming American Airlines flight, ensuring a more comfortable and tailored travel experience!
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions related to changing meals on American Airlines:
How to: Change my meal on American Airlines after booking?
You can change your meal after booking by logging into your reservation on the American Airlines website (AA.com) under "Manage Trip" or through the American Airlines mobile app. Look for the "Meals" or "Passengers" section to make your selection.
How to: Request a special meal on American Airlines?
Special meals can be requested during the initial booking process or afterward by accessing your reservation online or via the mobile app. Navigate to the "Meals" or "Special Meals" section within your trip details and select the desired option (e.g., gluten-free, vegan, kosher).
How to: Know if my American Airlines flight offers a meal?
Meal service availability depends on flight duration and cabin class. Generally, longer domestic flights (over 900 miles) and most international flights offer meals. Premium cabins (First, Business, Premium Economy) are more likely to have complimentary meals. You can usually see "Meal:" listed in your flight details within your reservation if a meal is offered.
How to: Find the deadline for changing my meal on American Airlines?
The general deadline for changing or requesting a special meal on American Airlines is 24 hours prior to your scheduled flight departure. For premium cabin pre-orders, the window typically opens 30 days before departure and closes 24 hours before.
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How to: Change my meal on the American Airlines app?
Open the American Airlines app, log in or find your trip using your record locator, tap on your flight details, and look for the "Meals" or "Special Meal Request" option within the passenger information. Tap to select or modify your meal choice, then save.
How to: Request a specific seat and meal together on American Airlines?
You can typically select your seat and then proceed to manage your meal preferences within the same "Manage Trip" section of your reservation on AA.com or the mobile app. These are usually separate but accessible options within your booking details.
How to: Get a Kosher meal on my American Airlines flight?
To request a Kosher meal, access your reservation online or via the app, navigate to the "Special Meals" section, and select "Kosher Meal (KSML)." Remember to do this at least 24 hours before your flight, and note that availability may vary by departure airport.
How to: Handle severe food allergies when flying American Airlines?
For severe allergies, American Airlines recommends carrying your own food. While they offer specific allergen-friendly meals (like gluten-intolerant), they do not guarantee a completely allergen-free environment. You can also request to pre-board to wipe down your seat area and inform the flight crew of your allergy upon boarding.
How to: Confirm my meal request on American Airlines?
After making your meal selection online or via the app, ensure you click "Save" or "Confirm." You should then see your updated meal preference reflected in your booking details. If unsure, you can always call American Airlines customer service to verify.
How to: Change my meal for a flight booked through a travel agency?
If you booked through a travel agency, you can often still change your meal directly on the American Airlines website or app using your record locator. If you encounter any issues or the option isn't available, contact your travel agency or American Airlines customer service for assistance.
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