American Airlines customers fume over 'cheap' small plates that cause 'two major issues'

American Airlines flyers have voiced their dissatisfaction, alleging that the carrier has resorted to economizing tactics at one of its Admiral Club lounges by rationing food portions.

Travel authority Gary Leff corroborated these customer claims, suggesting that American Airlines is deliberately using smaller plates across Admiral Clubs in a bid to cut costs, among other changes, including customer service. 

"They want to make sure that customers eat less, or at least take less, in order to control food costs. And they do this with very small plates," he detailed on his influential travel blog, View from the Wing-Thought Leader in Travel.

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Leff criticizes the small plate strategy as a detrimental move for American Airlines' reputation which came under fire for the size of its seats, stating it trails behind competitors like Delta and United when it comes to lounge offerings. He notes that due to their size, these plates contribute to a greater mess, with food often ending up on the floor.

"They don't hold much food, and they don't do a great job of holding it in. If you pick up food using tongs and place it in the plates, some items like salad invariably fall onto the ground," Leff explained on his blog, reports the Mirror US.

Moreover, he doesn't hold back in denouncing the quality of the food at the Club, speculating that the lackluster culinary experience could be why certain locations experience low foot traffic.

Admiral Club policy further dictates that patrons abide by regulations, including the purchase of specific food items and the prohibition from taking food outside the club premises.

A reader of Leff's blog decided to put the lounge's plates to the test. He managed to get a full-sized bratwurst at the Admirals Club in Charlotte Douglas International Airport, North Carolina.

However, using the club's smaller plates, he found that the bratwurst didn't fit. The travel expert then added insult to injury by explaining the basic function of a plate in another blog post.

He meticulously outlined how dishes help maintain cleanliness and order in the dining area. Plates act as a barrier between food and potentially dirty tables, preventing unwanted spills or drops.

Beyond their practical uses, plates also offer a "flat, often decorative space to arrange food attractively," he pointed out.

He suggests that American Airlines is likely aware of this but opts for smaller plates as a cost-saving measure.

"I suppose if the lack of proper plates for Admirals Club food is a stopper, you could always just limit yourself to the Snack Tower of Sadness," he quipped, referring to a selection of snacks displayed in tall plastic tubes.

"Or, American [Airlines] could take seriously the idea of their premium pivot and invest in dishware, not just food," he added."