American Airlines Lounge Food ‘Upgrade’: Full-Size Brats, Tiny Plates, Big Mess
American Airlines has made **notable strides** in enhancing the food offerings at its lounges. However, the airline still finds itself trailing behind competitors like Delta and United. Their approach can be best described as a “me too, but less than” strategy, where cost control remains the central theme. The CEO’s motto echoes loudly: “never spend a dollar more than we need to.”
Food Quality: A Double-Edged Sword
While it’s certainly commendable that American Airlines has improved its lounge food, many travelers had hoped for an even richer offering. **Interestingly, the subpar food experience is one reason why certain lounges remain less crowded—especially in hubs like Charlotte, where lounge space is notably cramped**.
A Cost-Cutting Approach: Small Plates
In addition to tweaking the menu, American Airlines has implemented measures to curb food costs. One of the more peculiar tactics? The use of **tiny plates**. These miniature dishes are designed to restrict portions—and unfortunately, they also seem to guarantee a mess.
These plates are so small that **navigating the buffet often leads to an unintended mess**. Handing over food with tongs? More often than not, a few salad leaves or even larger food items find their way to the floor.
The Misalignment of Plates and Food
Much like a carpenter relying solely on a hammer, the food served in Admirals Clubs feels mismatched with the plates provided. In fact, a fellow traveler shared:
[American Airlines Admirals Club in Charlotte] is now serving full-size brats. But the plates aren’t any bigger and they don’t fit. This is the only size plate available in the club.
What Makes a Plate Functional?
At its core, a plate serves several fundamental purposes:
- **To elevate food off surfaces**, keeping it sanitary and clean while dining.
- **To confine and group food**, allowing for easy transport from buffet to dining area.
- **To create a barrier** against unsanitary surfaces.
- **To present food attractively**, enhancing the overall dining experience.
In theory, these functions are straightforward. However, the current setup seems to disrupt this basic functionality. If managing food on these tiny plates proves daunting, you may want to **consider limiting your choices** to the so-called “Snack Tower of Sadness.”
A Call for Change
Ultimately, American Airlines could greatly benefit from redefining its lounge dining experience. Instead of just tweaking food options, an investment in **functional dishware** could transform the current dining mishaps into a more pleasant experience.
After all, isn’t a premium experience worth the investment? **It’s time for American Airlines to consider a pivotal overhaul**, from plates to plates of new culinary delights.
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