Starting on Monday American is dropping buffets from its lounges. This will be replaced with “individually portioned, covered food items and will shift most self-service beverages to individual portions such as milk cartons or bartender/wait staff service.”

That’s going to mean more packages and wrapped food on trays in Admirals Clubs. Soup is being axed. Carafes of milk will be replaced with individual cartons and beverage dispensers will get moved behind the bar so passengers aren’t touching them (though staff will be). Apples will be wrapped. Avocado toast in the morning, and guacamole in the afternoon, will both continue “as the portions are individually made by servers using gloves.” There will still be food for purchase on sale.

American Airlines Admirals Club Standard Buffet Goes Away

In international business class (Flagship) lounges there will be “individually portioned, covered food items” that will involve both hot and cold food items. Carafes of milk will be replaced with individual cartons and beverage dispensers will get moved behind the bar so passengers aren’t touching them (though staff will be). Desserts will be indivudally-wrapped.

Condiment packets will replace bottles. Packaged snacks will replace the Snack Tower Of Sadness (© Tiffany Funk).

In addition, they’ll be offering pre-packaged napkins and flatware. Coffee and soda machines will get more frequent cleaning.

American stopped hotel towel service inflight last Tuesday. Starting this Monday they will use all plastic or paper cups in premium cabins, and won’t be refilling those cups. Each time you want a beverage, it’s a new cup.

Overall these are service downgrades that make sense.