American Airlines Spent Months Double-Catering London Flights

American Airlines says it has solved the catering problem that dogged its London flights this year. According to View from the Wing, the airline stopped using local catering at Heathrow and began flying meals over from the U.S. for the return trip, which meant galleys built to hold food for one flight were stocked for two. Passengers saw fewer meal choices, missing pre-orders and service cutbacks in both directions.

The airline has now chosen DO & CO as its permanent London caterer, a decision made in August. The double-catering approach began in March 2026, and DO & CO had already improved premium-cabin food from March 10. American has also tackled the bottleneck of specialized catering trucks, adding five and expecting seven more, which would bring the fleet to 17.

The transition is staged. Boeing 787-9P aircraft are due to stop double provisioning on October 13 and 14, with the remaining flights moving to single provisioning on October 27 and 28, completing the change. Beverages will keep loading in the U.S. for both directions.

The most visible fix for passengers may be human. American says catering coordinators will be on board every Heathrow departure, from the start of catering until the start of boarding, to make sure flight attendants have what they need. The airline plans to keep them even after the changeover finishes, which suggests it wants a safeguard against a repeat.

Sources: View from the Wing, View from the Wing (latest)