Key Takeaways
• American Airlines reinstated second beverage service on domestic flights over 1,500 miles starting May 14, 2025.
• Economy class buy-on-board expanded with Tostitos Snack Box priced at $9 or 900 AAdvantage miles.
• Premium spirits added including Casamigos Añejo and Tequila Ocho Reposado to in-flight beverage menu.
American Airlines Expands Economy Buy-On-Board Food and Beverage Options, Adds Tequila to Menu
American Airlines has rolled out a series of updates to its in-flight food and beverage service, aiming to improve the travel experience for passengers across all cabins. These changes, which include new buy-on-board snack options and the addition of premium spirits like tequila, reflect the airline’s ongoing efforts to respond to customer feedback and adapt to the evolving expectations of travelers. The updates come as the airline continues to recover from pandemic-era service reductions and faces stiff competition from other major U.S. carriers.
What’s New: Key Enhancements to Food and Beverage Service
On May 19, 2025, American Airlines announced several major updates to its food and beverage offerings, effective May 14, 2025. The most notable changes include:
- Reinstating a second beverage service on domestic long-haul flights of 1,500 miles or more, reversing a policy put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Introducing a pre-meal drink service for select international departures scheduled before 9:01 p.m. local time.
- Expanding the buy-on-board menu in economy class, including the launch of a new Tostitos Snack Box.
- Adding premium spirits to the beverage menu, such as Casamigos Añejo Tequila and Tequila Ocho Reposado.
– Enhancing Admirals Club lounge offerings with new regional menu items, grab-and-go snacks, and an expanded bar selection.
These changes are designed to address passenger requests for more variety and higher quality in both food and drink options, while also keeping pace with improvements made by competitors like Alaska Airlines, United, and Delta.
Economy Class: Buy-On-Board Program Gets a Boost
For many travelers, especially those flying in economy, the quality and variety of buy-on-board food and drink options can make a big difference in the overall flight experience. American Airlines has taken steps to improve its offerings, though some industry experts say there is still room for growth.
Expanded Snack Selection
In early May 2025, American Airlines introduced the Tostitos Snack Box on flights over 1,300 miles. Priced at $9 or 900 AAdvantage miles, this snack box gives passengers a new option beyond the limited choices previously available. The Tostitos Snack Box includes a mix of popular snacks, catering to travelers looking for something more substantial than a single bag of pretzels or cookies.
Current buy-on-board options in economy include:
- Alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, and liquor) available for purchase on domestic flights over 250 miles.
- Limited snack options on select flights, with the new Tostitos Snack Box now available on longer routes.
While these updates mark progress, American’s buy-on-board program is still considered more limited compared to other major U.S. airlines. For example:
- Alaska Airlines offers both fresh and packaged snacks on flights over 775 miles and hot meals on flights over 1,100 miles.
- United Airlines provides packaged snacks and snack boxes on flights over 500 miles, and fresh meals on flights over 1,190 miles.
- Delta Air Lines offers snack boxes on flights over 900 miles and more substantial meal options on flights over 1,500 miles.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, American’s more limited buy-on-board menu may be influenced by its policy of offering complimentary snacks and alcoholic drinks to AAdvantage Executive Platinum members traveling in economy. With more elite members flying in economy due to changes in the Loyalty Points system and tougher upgrade clearance, the economics of expanding the buy-on-board program are complex.
Premium Spirits Now Available: Tequila Takes Flight
One of the most talked-about updates is the addition of premium spirits to the beverage menu, including two high-end tequilas:
- Casamigos Añejo Tequila
- Tequila Ocho Reposado
These tequilas join other new spirits such as Still Gin, Kahlua, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, and Horse Soldier Bourbon. The move to add tequila and other premium options reflects growing demand for higher-quality beverages in the sky. Passengers can now enjoy a wider range of drinks, whether they’re celebrating a special occasion or simply want to relax with a cocktail.
American Airlines has also updated its non-alcoholic offerings, replacing the LaCroix Lime flavor with a new, award-winning citrus twist. This change was made based on feedback from both customers and staff, who voted for a flavor that doesn’t require a lemon wedge.
Using AAdvantage Miles for Food and Drinks
As of March 18, 2025, AAdvantage members can use their miles to purchase food and beverages on eligible flights. This adds flexibility for frequent flyers, allowing them to use miles for more than just flight bookings or lounge access. For example, a passenger who doesn’t have enough miles for a ticket upgrade can still use their points to enjoy a snack box or a premium tequila during their flight.
Premium Cabin: New Breakfasts and Expanded Meal Choices
While much of the focus has been on economy class, American Airlines has also made significant improvements for passengers flying in premium cabins.
New Breakfast Options
On March 12, 2025, American introduced several new breakfast dishes for premium cabin travelers, including:
- Biscuit and chicken sausage gravy with cheesy scrambled eggs
- White cheddar and Monterey Jack omelet with chicken sausage and seasoned potato wedges
- Smothered veggie and cheese frittata with tomato wedges and everything-seasoned potato wedges
- 3-cheese omelet with seasoned potato wedges
These options are designed to offer more variety and cater to different dietary preferences, making the morning meal more enjoyable for business and leisure travelers alike.
Sliders and Fries: A Popular Addition
After successful testing, American has expanded its “sliders and fries” meal option to more routes. Premium cabin passengers can now preorder this meal on short-haul domestic flights over 900 miles. This move responds to customer requests for more casual, comfort-food choices on shorter flights.
Admirals Club Lounge: Regional Flavors and More Choices
American Airlines has also invested in improving the food and beverage experience in its Admirals Club lounges across the United States 🇺🇸 and Canada 🇨🇦.
Regional Menu Items
Travelers visiting Admirals Clubs can now enjoy regionally inspired dishes, such as:
- Roasted Jalapeno Hummus in Austin
- Orange peel tempura chicken in Los Angeles
These additions bring a local flavor to the lounge experience, giving travelers a taste of the city they’re visiting or departing from.
Grab-and-Go Snacks and Premium Bar
The lounges now offer a wider selection of grab-and-go snacks, including:
- Darlington Oatmeal Bars
- Realsy Peanut Butter Dates
- Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Wildway Granola Snack Pack
- Outrageously Good Caramel and Cheese Popcorn
The bar selection has also been expanded to include more premium spirits, such as the newly added tequilas, and a rotating mocktail option. In March 2025, the featured mocktail was the “Peachy Keen,” offering a non-alcoholic alternative for those who prefer not to drink.
Special Touches: Afternoon Tea and International Service
In a nod to European tradition, American Airlines has introduced afternoon tea service on inbound flights from London 🇬🇧 and Paris 🇫🇷 to the United States 🇺🇸. This service is available to passengers in all classes and includes a complete tea set with finger sandwiches and scones. It’s a unique way to bring a bit of luxury and comfort to long-haul international travel.
Staff and Industry Reactions: Mixed Reviews
While many passengers have welcomed these enhancements, not everyone is pleased. The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), which represents American’s flight attendants, has raised concerns about the reinstated second beverage service on long-haul domestic flights. In a memo, the union argued that the change is impractical due to ongoing understaffing and limited drink supplies on board. The memo stated, “American Airlines set us for frustration failure,” and suggested that the decision was more about cost-cutting than sustainable operations.
Industry analysts have also pointed out that, despite recent improvements, American’s buy-on-board program in economy still trails behind competitors. The airline’s focus on providing complimentary snacks and drinks to elite AAdvantage members may be one reason for the slower pace of expansion in the buy-on-board menu.
Why These Changes Matter: The Bigger Picture
American Airlines’ latest updates are part of a broader trend among major carriers to improve the in-flight experience as travel demand rebounds. Airlines are competing not just on ticket prices and schedules, but also on the quality of food, drinks, and overall comfort they offer passengers.
For travelers, these changes mean:
- More choices when it comes to snacks and drinks, especially on longer flights.
- The ability to use frequent flyer miles for small purchases, making loyalty programs more flexible and rewarding.
- A wider range of premium spirits, including tequila, for those who want to enjoy a cocktail at 30,000 feet.
- Improved lounge experiences with regional flavors and healthier grab-and-go options.
- Special touches like afternoon tea on select international routes, adding a sense of occasion to the journey.
For American Airlines, these updates are a way to differentiate itself from competitors and respond to the changing needs of its diverse customer base. As Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden explained, “As spring travel heats up, our customers are eager to see new food and drinks across our menus.”
Practical Guidance for Travelers
If you’re flying with American Airlines soon, here’s what you need to know:
- Check your flight distance: Buy-on-board snack boxes and premium spirits like tequila are only available on certain routes (typically over 1,300 miles for snack boxes and over 250 miles for alcoholic beverages).
- Consider using AAdvantage miles: If you’re an AAdvantage member, you can now use your miles to purchase food and drinks on eligible flights. This can be a good way to use up small balances or treat yourself without spending cash.
- Preorder meals in premium cabins: If you’re flying in a premium cabin on a short-haul domestic flight over 900 miles, you can preorder the popular sliders and fries meal.
- Visit Admirals Club lounges: If you have lounge access, take advantage of the new regional menu items and expanded snack selection.
- Look for special services: On flights from London or Paris to the United States, enjoy the new afternoon tea service, available to all passengers.
For the most up-to-date information on American Airlines’ food and beverage offerings, visit the official American Airlines website.
Conclusion: What’s Next for In-Flight Dining?
American Airlines’ recent changes to its buy-on-board program, the addition of premium spirits like tequila, and improvements to lounge offerings show a clear commitment to enhancing the passenger experience. While there are still areas where the airline lags behind competitors, especially in economy class, these updates represent meaningful progress.
Travelers can expect more variety, better quality, and greater flexibility when it comes to food and drink options, both in the air and on the ground. As airlines continue to compete for customer loyalty, passengers stand to benefit from ongoing improvements and innovations in in-flight dining.
For more detailed analysis and updates on airline food and beverage trends, VisaVerge.com reports that staying informed about your carrier’s latest offerings can help you make the most of your next trip.
Actionable Takeaway: Before your next American Airlines flight, review the available food and beverage options for your route, consider using AAdvantage miles for onboard purchases, and take advantage of new premium spirits like tequila to enhance your travel experience.
Official Government Resource: For information on travel regulations and passenger rights, visit the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection page.
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Learn Today
Buy-on-Board → Passengers purchase food or drinks during flight instead of complimentary offerings in economy class.
Second Beverage Service → An additional round of drink service provided after the initial beverages are served on long flights.
AAdvantage Miles → Frequent flyer points earned with American Airlines, redeemable for flights, upgrades, or onboard purchases.
Premium Spirits → High-quality alcoholic beverages like aged tequilas and specialty liquors offered onboard.
Admirals Club → American Airlines’ airport lounges providing food, drinks, and comfort areas for members and premium travelers.
This Article in a Nutshell
American Airlines enhances in-flight food and beverage with new snacks, premium tequilas, and revitalized services, improving passenger experiences in economy and premium cabins during 2025.
— By VisaVerge.com
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