Do you often find yourself dreaming of a specific meal high above the clouds? Perhaps you have dietary restrictions, or simply a discerning palate that craves something beyond the standard inflight offering. Whatever your reason, pre-ordering your meal on American Airlines can significantly enhance your travel experience. It’s not just about getting what you want; it’s about guaranteeing it!
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, ensuring you can sit back, relax, and look forward to a delicious meal tailored to your preferences.
The Art of Inflight Dining: Pre-Ordering Your American Airlines Meal
Pre-ordering meals on American Airlines is a fantastic perk, primarily for passengers in premium cabins (First Class, Business Class, and on select routes, Premium Economy) and for those requiring special meals due to dietary, medical, or religious needs. While Main Cabin passengers generally don't have standard pre-order options, special meals are often available across all classes on eligible flights.
Let's dive into the specifics!
Step 1: Are You Eligible for Pre-Order? Let's Find Out!
Before you get too excited about that gourmet meal, it's crucial to confirm if your flight and cabin class are eligible for pre-ordering.
Premium Cabin Passengers: If you're flying in First Class, Business Class, or Flagship® Transcontinental, you are almost certainly eligible to pre-order your main course on most meal-eligible flights over 900 miles. This includes many domestic and international routes. American Airlines was one of the first to offer this, and it's a fan favorite for good reason!
Premium Economy Passengers: For Premium Economy, standard meal pre-order (beyond special meals) is typically available on international flights to or from Europe, Oceania, Asia, the Middle East, and deep South America.
Main Cabin Passengers: Generally, standard meal pre-ordering is NOT available for Main Cabin passengers. You can, however, purchase snacks and some larger items on board. The exception here, and this is important, is for special meals. If you have specific dietary needs (e.g., vegetarian, gluten-free, kosher), you can often pre-order a special meal even in Main Cabin on eligible flights.
Key Takeaway: Pre-ordering is your best friend if you're in a premium cabin or have specific dietary requirements!
Step 2: Accessing Your Reservation – Your Gateway to Culinary Delights
Now that you've confirmed your eligibility, it's time to access your flight reservation. This is where the magic happens!
Sub-heading: Via the American Airlines Website (aa.com)
Navigate to aa.com: Open your web browser and go to the official American Airlines website.
Locate "My Trips": Look for the "My Trips" tab, usually found prominently on the homepage.
Enter Your Details: You'll need to input your First Name, Last Name, and your Booking Reference (also known as your PNR or confirmation code). This is a 6-character alphanumeric code that you received in your booking confirmation email.
Pro-Tip: Can't find your booking reference? Check your original flight confirmation email or any e-ticket receipts!
Access Your Booking Details: Once you've entered the correct information, you should be able to view all your booking details.
Sub-heading: Via the American Airlines Mobile App
Open the App: Launch the American Airlines mobile app on your smartphone or tablet.
Log In or Find Trip: If you have an AAdvantage account, log in. Your upcoming trips should automatically appear. If not, look for a "Find Trip" or "My Trips" option and enter your last name and confirmation code.
Select Your Flight: Tap on the specific flight for which you wish to pre-order a meal.
Step 3: Finding the "Meals" or "Special Services" Section
This is where users sometimes get a little lost, as the location can vary slightly depending on whether you're using the website or the app, and sometimes even due to website updates.
Sub-heading: On the Website
Scroll Down: Once you're in your reservation details, scroll down past the flight details.
Look for "Passengers" and then "Meals": You should see a section titled "Passengers." Within this section, look for a "Meals" box. It might initially appear small.
Click the Pencil Icon (or "Reserve a Meal"): There will likely be a small pencil icon next to the "Meals" box, or a direct link like "Reserve a meal" or "Choose your meals." Click this to expand the meal selection options.
Sub-heading: On the Mobile App
Find Your Flight: Within your selected flight details, scroll through the various sections.
Look for a "Meal" or "Dining" Option: The wording might vary slightly, but it will be intuitively related to your inflight food.
Tap to Expand: Tap on this section to reveal the meal options.
Step 4: Making Your Meal Selection – The Culinary Choice!
Now for the fun part: choosing your meal!
Sub-heading: Standard Pre-Order (Premium Cabins)
View Available Options: A pop-up screen or new section will display the menu options available for your specific flight. These are typically the main course selections. You might see 2-4 different choices.
Important Note: While you choose your main course, appetizers, side salads, and desserts are often determined by the airline and plated onboard. You usually won't be able to select these in advance.
Select Your Preferred Meal: Click on the meal you wish to order.
Confirm and Save: After making your selection, look for a "Save" or "Save and Exit" button to confirm your choice.
Sub-heading: Requesting Special Meals (All Eligible Classes)
Locate "Special Meals" Tab/Option: Within the meal selection area, you'll find a dedicated "Special meals" tab or option. Click on this.
Browse Special Meal Types: American Airlines offers a wide array of special meals to cater to various needs. Common options include:
Asian Vegetarian (AVML)
Baby Meal (BBML)
Bland Meal (BLML)
Child Meal (CHML)
Diabetic Meal (DBML)
Gluten-Intolerant (GFML)
Hindu Meal (HNML)
Kosher Meal (KSML)
Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian (VLML)
Low Fat (LFML)
Low Sodium (LSML)
Muslim Meal (MOML)
Non-Lactose (NLML)
Vegetarian Jain Meal (VJML)
Vegetarian / Vegan (VGML)
Select the Appropriate Special Meal: Choose the meal that best fits your dietary requirements.
Confirm and Save: Confirm your selection to save it to your reservation.
Step 5: Important Timelines and Considerations
Pre-ordering isn't something you can do last minute. There are crucial cut-off times to be aware of.
Sub-heading: When Can You Pre-Order?
Window Opens: You can typically start selecting your meals within 30 days of your flight departure.
Window Closes: The cutoff time for all American Airlines meal pre-orders is generally 24 hours prior to flight departure. Recently, American Airlines has expanded this window to 20 hours before departure on some routes, especially to Europe, which provides more flexibility.
Too Early? If you try to pre-order too far in advance, you might not see any meal options displayed. Be patient and check back closer to your travel date.
Sub-heading: What if Your Flight Changes?
Re-order Needed: If you make any changes to your flight (e.g., flight number, date, time), you will likely need to place a new meal order. Your previous selection may not automatically transfer.
Upgrades: If you receive an upgrade to a premium cabin within 24 hours of departure, you may not be able to pre-order a meal through the system, as the window will have closed. In such cases, you might be limited to the choices available onboard.
Sub-heading: What if You Don't See the Option?
Eligibility Check: Double-check if your flight route and cabin class are eligible for pre-order. Some shorter domestic flights in First Class might not offer pre-order, and Main Cabin generally doesn't for standard meals.
Time Window: Ensure you are within the 30-day to 20/24-hour pre-order window.
Technical Glitch: If you believe you should be eligible but aren't seeing the option, try a different browser, clear your cache, or try the mobile app. Sometimes a simple technical refresh helps.
Contact American Airlines: If all else fails, don't hesitate to call American Airlines Reservations directly. They can assist you in placing your meal request.
Step 6: On the Day of Your Flight – A Smooth Dining Experience
Even after pre-ordering, a few final steps can ensure your meal arrives without a hitch.
Arrive Early: As always, arrive at the airport with ample time.
Verify at the Gate (for Special Meals): If you ordered a special meal, it's a good idea to politely remind the gate agent that you have a special meal request noted on your reservation. This provides an extra layer of confirmation.
Inform the Flight Attendant: Once you're on board and settled, casually mention to a flight attendant that you pre-ordered a meal (especially if it's a special meal). This helps them ensure catering has loaded the correct meal for you.
Enjoy Your Meal! Sit back, relax, and savor your pre-ordered meal!
Pre-ordering your American Airlines meal is a simple yet impactful way to elevate your journey. Whether you're a discerning gourmand or have specific dietary needs, taking a few minutes to pre-select your meal ensures a more comfortable and enjoyable flight. Happy travels and bon appétit!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to Pre-Order Meals on American Airlines for a Domestic Flight?
You can pre-order meals on American Airlines for domestic flights primarily if you are traveling in First Class on meal-eligible routes (typically over 900 miles). For these flights, you can select your main course through the "My Trips" section on aa.com or the mobile app, usually within 30 days and up to 20-24 hours before departure. Main Cabin domestic flights generally do not have standard pre-order options, but special meals might be available.
How to Pre-Order Special Meals on American Airlines?
To pre-order special meals (e.g., vegetarian, gluten-free, kosher), access your reservation online via aa.com or the mobile app. Navigate to the "Meals" or "Special Services" section and choose from the list of available special meal options. This can typically be done from 30 days up to 20-24 hours before your flight and is often available across all cabin classes on eligible routes.
How to Change a Pre-Ordered Meal on American Airlines?
You can change a pre-ordered meal on American Airlines by going back into your reservation on aa.com or the mobile app, locating the "Meals" section, and selecting a new option. This change must be made before the pre-order cutoff time, which is usually 20-24 hours prior to your flight's departure.
How to Know if My American Airlines Flight Offers Meals?
American Airlines flights offer meals based on the cabin class, flight duration, and route. Generally, premium cabins (First, Business, Premium Economy) on longer flights (over 900 miles domestically, most international) include complimentary meals. Main Cabin usually offers complimentary snacks and beverages, with food for purchase on many domestic flights. International Main Cabin flights often include meals. Check the American Airlines website under "Travel information" > "Dining" or your specific itinerary to confirm meal service for your flight.
How to Pre-Order Meals on American Airlines if I Have Food Allergies?
If you have food allergies, it is highly recommended to pre-order a special meal that caters to your specific allergy (e.g., Gluten-intolerant, Non-lactose). While pre-ordering helps, it's also crucial to inform the flight attendants upon boarding and consider bringing your own safe snacks, as cross-contamination can occur. American Airlines special meals are reviewed by a registered dietician, but caution is always advised for severe allergies.
How to Pre-Order Kosher Meals on American Airlines?
To pre-order Kosher meals (KSML) on American Airlines, go to your reservation on aa.com or the mobile app, navigate to the "Special Meals" section, and select "Kosher Meal." Ensure you do this at least 20-24 hours before your flight, as Kosher meals require specific catering arrangements and may not be available on all routes.
How to Pre-Order Child Meals on American Airlines?
You can pre-order Child Meals (CHML) on American Airlines by accessing your reservation and selecting the "Child Meal" option within the special meals section. This is typically available for children aged 2-12 years. Similarly, Baby Meals (BBML) are available for infants under 2. Make sure to request these meals within the specified pre-order window.
How to Confirm My Pre-Ordered Meal with American Airlines?
After you pre-order your meal online, the selection should be reflected in your "My Trips" itinerary on aa.com or in the mobile app. While not always necessary, if you ordered a special meal, you can call American Airlines Reservations within 24-48 hours of your flight to verbally confirm your special meal request, especially for peace of mind.
How to Pre-Order Meals on American Airlines for International Flights?
Pre-ordering meals on American Airlines for international flights is generally available for passengers in First Class, Business Class, and Premium Economy. You can select your main course or a special meal through the "My Trips" section on the American Airlines website or app, usually from 30 days up to 20-24 hours before your flight.
How to Pre-Order Meals on American Airlines if I Get an Upgrade Last Minute?
If you receive an upgrade to a premium cabin within the 20-24 hour pre-order cutoff window, you may not be able to pre-order a meal through the online system. In such cases, your meal choice will depend on the selections available from the flight's catering at the time of your upgrade. You can politely inquire with a flight attendant once onboard about available options.
