American Airlines is having trouble getting food onto its planes at New York's JFK, one of its major hubs, and it's warning passengers that their meal may not be what they expected. In an email sent on Wednesday and seen by Contrail, the airline said it is "making temporary adjustments to its inflight dining experience" on flights from JFK "due to a disruption in our catering operations."
The letter says meals will still be served on board, but certain selections may be affected. American also warned that it "may be unable to guarantee pre-ordered meals, special meal requests, or other specific meal selections."
American Airlines · JFK
What American Is Telling JFK Passengers
Still happening
- Meals served on board
- Substitutes where possible
Not guaranteed
- Pre-ordered meals
- Special meal requests
- Specific meal choices
Based on a letter from American Airlines dated October 7, 2026. American hasn't said how long the disruption will last.
Contrail
10,000 Miles as an Apology
As a goodwill gesture, American is crediting at least some affected passengers with 10,000 AAdvantage miles, the airline's frequent flyer currency. The letter didn't say whether every passenger on an affected flight will get the miles, or how long the disruption is expected to last.
American didn't explain what caused the problem.
What It Means if You're Flying
If you're flying American out of JFK in the next few days, it's worth planning as if your meal might not show up. That matters most for anyone who relies on a special meal for dietary or religious reasons, since the airline says it can't promise those right now. Eating before you board or bringing your own food is the safest bet.
If you pre-ordered a meal in business or first class, you may still get a meal, but it might not be the one you picked.
Not the First Time This Year
This isn't American's first catering headache in 2026. In late February, the airline stopped catering its London Heathrow flights locally after a problem with its caterer there. For nearly two months, it flew the food for both directions over from the US instead, and passengers on those flights saw fewer meal choices and missing pre-orders. Full local catering in London didn't return until late April.
It's not yet clear whether the JFK disruption will last anywhere near that long. For now, American's message to New York flyers is simple: there'll be food, just maybe not the food you ordered.
