To celebrate its 100th year, American Airlines is launching a new, limited-time in-flight menu, which has been inspired by classic dishes from the 1920s. The company says that “each dish reflects the elegance and culinary character of the decade, thoughtfully adapted for the modern in-flight experience.”
American Airlines’ New 1920s-Inspired Menu
According to its official press release, beginning in April, American Airlines will start offering its domestic First Class passengers a new menu, featuring “modern interpretations of beloved dishes from the 1920s,” which include dishes like Waldorf salad, beef Wellington with roasted vegetables and asparagus with a béarnaise sauce, and pecan tart.
From March, American Airlines’ international and transcontinental Flagship First and Flagship Business passengers will get to taste classic 1920s appetizers, including a prawn cocktail and a Waldorf salad, which will be “elevated” in April (to celebrate the airline’s centennial month) to include caviar blinis and deviled eggs topped with crème fraîche.
Entrée selections in premium cabins feature beef Wellington with béarnaise sauce and roasted vegetables, and chicken Florentine roulade served with mashed potatoes and mushroom sauce.
Rhonda Crawford, American Airlines’ senior vice president of customer experience design and strategy, explained the concept behind the 1920s-inspired menus, saying, “Our centennial year is a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come, while continuing to elevate the experience for our customers. These menus celebrate the flavors that defined the early days of American Airlines in a way that feels special and memorable for today’s travelers.”
Travel news publication, Travel Drama, posted on X that, “The dishes are classic, but intentionally restrained…presented with modern plating rather than novelty flair. American says the goal is to reflect the era’s elegance without turning the cabin into a theme night. It is a subtle move, but a deliberate one. Instead of flashy stunts, American is using food to quietly remind passengers that it has been flying longer than almost anyone else.”
New Menu Availability
American Airlines confirmed that customers will be able to preorder items from the new menu from February 9, 2026, ahead of their flights.
The official launch of the new menu service will start in March for international and transcontinental Flagship First and Flagship Business Class flights, followed in April on domestic First Class flights.
What Happens Next
In its press release, American Airlines said that it was planning to keep its centennial dining options available through August while continuing to roll out additional anniversary elements, including livery, logo updates, and a centennial site, with more initiatives to be announced during 2026.
