Despite not necessarily investing a lot in catering, airlines like to get creative with what they serve in first class, as people seem to like that. Perhaps the most talked about example of this is Delta’s partnership with Shake Shack. Along those lines, American has just announced a new catering collaboration, which I’m sure some people will like?
American serving Pecan Lodge barbecue platters & brisket
In the coming weeks, American Airlines will begin serving Texas barbecue onboard select flights, in partnership with Pecan Lodge restaurant. The airline explains that Pecan Lodge was founded in 2010, and has been recognized for its Central Texas-style barbecue, which will take to the skies for the first time ever. I know about as much about barbecue as I know about football, so I’ll defer to others as to how well regarded they are.
This catering collaboration will debut between Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and New York, including flights to LaGuardia (LGA) and Kennedy (JFK). It’ll only be available for pre-order, so you’ll need to reserve it at least 20 hours before departure, via the American website or app. The selection will vary by month, and here’s what’s planned so far:
- In February 2026, passengers can expect the Pecan Lodge barbecue platter, consisting of smoked brisket and smoked sausage, paired with creamy mac and cheese, crisp coleslaw, and a side of pickles, onions, and barbecue sauce
- In March 2026, passengers can expect the smoked chopped brisket sandwich, consisting of chopped brisket on a fresh brioche bun, served with roasted green beans, creamy potato salad, and a side of pickles, onions, and barbecue sauce
I wouldn’t be surprised to see this collaboration extended and expanded, so we’ll see how this plays out. Here’s how Rhonda Crawford, American’s SVP of Customer Experience Design and Strategy, describes this:
“As we celebrate American’s centennial anniversary in 2026, we’re looking forward to delighting our customers in new ways that honor unique regional tastes, beginning right here in our home state through one of the most beloved barbecue restaurants in Texas. Our customers deserve nothing but the best, and Pecan Lodge is certainly that.”
I’m sure people will enjoy this, but it’s not for me
It goes without saying that Texas is known for its barbecue, and it’s something people really love. Some people wait in line for hours and plan trips around it. We all have our preferences, and personally, it’s not for me. I suspect View from the Wing will be as excited about this as I was about a signed Shawn Mendes picture in Etihad’s The Residence, so we all need hobbies, eh?
If we’re being realistic about airplane food, it simply shouldn’t be as good as food on the ground, since it’s prepared many hours earlier, reheated, etc. That says nothing of the tiny budgets that airlines have for this. Nonetheless, the reality is that people love comfort food, so anything that’s on the unhealthy side will be a crowd pleaser on a plane (kind of like American’s very mediocre slider & fries).
Personally, I’d love to see the airline actually try to offer simpler and healthier dishes. I have an upcoming American first class flight where the options include a cheese plate, a creamy pasta, chicken breast with cheese tortellini, or two types of short rib.
Am I the only one who would love to just see a salad or sandwich that’s half decent on the menu, rather than all of these options that are overly caloric without likely actually being good? For example, the salads in Air France’s La Premiere first class are exceptional. Okay, admittedly that’s among the world’s best international first class products, but in isolation, this really shouldn’t be that hard to replicate.
Okay, I’m likely in the minority, so I’ll just get off my soapbox now. I will say, I do like the concept of offering regional and local dishes, so I give American a lot of credit for that, and embracing its biggest hub.
Bottom line
American Airlines will start serving Texas barbecue in first class on flights from Dallas to New York, as part of a new collaboration with Pecan Lodge. These dishes will be available for pre-order, and you can expect a barbecue platter in February, and a brisket sandwich in March. I’m sure some people will love this, so I’m happy for those people, I think (and less happy for my nose)?
What do you make of American’s plans to serve Texas barbecue?
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