How American Airlines Celebrated 100 Years Onboard My Flight

American Airways turns 100 years previous on April 15, 2026 — making a century of flight for the Texas-based provider.

To have a good time, the airline is bringing the social gathering to passengers all year long, from portray new liveries on some airplanes to providing themed onboard meals and amenity kits. It’s a part of the provider’s technique to rebrand itself right into a premium U.S. airline, because it competes in opposition to rivals Delta Air Traces and United Airways.

As I used to be boarding, I couldn’t assist admiring the 2 new decals on the aircraft’s boarding door commemorating two huge milestones this yr. One decal was American’s slick centennial brand and the opposite acknowledges American’s function because the “Official North American Airline Provider of the FIFA World Cup 26.”

For my flight, I used to be touring on one among American’s A321Ts, the place the T stands for transcontinental. American is exclusive in that it’s the one U.S. airline to nonetheless supply a three-class configuration with top quality, enterprise class and economic system.

I headed to my lie-flat enterprise class seat, the place I discovered a bundle of bedding, a bottle of water and a pair of Bang & Olufsen headphones, which I used to be enthusiastic about till I came upon throughout my flight that audio was popping out of just one facet.

At my seat, there was additionally one among American’s centennial-themed amenity kits, which are available in three designs based mostly on completely different eras in journey: Astrojet for the early jet age, Silverbird for the golden age of air journey and Ahead for what American calls its “momentum and future focus.”

I liked the design of my blue Astrojet equipment with a hanging bolt of orange lightning operating throughout. Inside, there was a dental equipment, earplugs, a watch masks, socks and a few Joanna Vargas skincare merchandise. Whereas I want my equipment was fabricated from extra premium supplies, these flying in Flagship First or Flagship Suite Most well-liked get upgraded amenity kits with extra choices, together with mouthwash and a comb.

Earlier within the yr, American proudly proclaimed it will offer particular entrees and appetizers for premium cabin passengers to preorder, designed with the Twenties in thoughts. In April, the provider stated, passengers in worldwide and transcontinental enterprise class would get to get pleasure from an appetizer that includes caviar, blinis and a deviled egg — one thing you may anticipate to see in worldwide top quality, however sometimes not enterprise class. For sure, I used to be excited.

Instantly after reserving my flight, I went into the American app to preorder one of many centennial choices, which had been beef Wellington and rooster florentine. Beef Wellington has a popularity for being laborious to arrange on the bottom, not to mention 30,000 ft up within the sky, so I knew I needed to attempt it out.

The web menu stated it will include an appetizer course that included a prawn cocktail and a Waldorf salad. The truth that caviar was nowhere to be discovered on the menu ought to have been a purple flag.

Shortly after takeoff, the flight attendants started the meal service, which I had been wanting ahead to. The flight attendant got here by with a centennial-branded menu, which I assumed was a pleasant contact.

After she confirmed my preorder, I requested her in regards to the caviar service. A lot to my dismay (first world issues, I do know), she confirmed my suspicions; there was no caviar onboard. She apologized profusely for the confusion, and the purser even got here as much as me later to apologize. The crew’s wonderful service greater than made up for the lacking caviar.

For the meal, I used to be fairly happy with the meat Wellington. Whereas the meat was slightly powerful, the puff pastry was delicate and flaky.

Afterward, I capped off my dinner with a scrumptious pecan tart. Fortunately, I had learn some on-line critiques of the centennial meal choices, so I knew to ask for a scoop of Häagen-Dazs vanilla ice cream on high of the nice and cozy tart. For those who like desserts, I extremely advocate that combo.

Following my flight, I reached out to American’s company communications workforce to search out out what was occurring. They advised me the caviar appetizer — which is simply obtainable for individuals who preorder the centennial menu and replaces the prawn cocktail — wouldn’t begin till their subsequent menu cycle change on April 8, only a few days after my flight, and would final by means of early Could.

For those who’re flying in Flagship Enterprise or Flagship First, you possibly can anticipate to see these particular menu gadgets by means of August 2026.

It’s enjoyable to fly in enterprise class, nevertheless it comes with a worth. My one-way flight from New York to Los Angeles would have value roughly $1,500 if I paid utilizing money.

For premium cabin passengers and aviation geeks, American’s centennial celebrations supply an opportunity to rating collectible amenity kits and take a look at upgraded eating choices. It is a big milestone, and it’s enjoyable that some passengers get to take part within the expertise.

For those who’re fortunate, you may even get an opportunity to have some caviar onboard your subsequent American enterprise class flight (so long as it’s flown by early Could). I wasn’t so fortunate, however I appreciated all of the enjoyable touches onboard, in addition to the wonderful crew members on my flight.

(High picture courtesy of American Airways.)