American Airlines Launches Meal Reservation Program

First Class meal on American Airlines

Photo by Darren Booth for CNBC.com

American Airlines has launched a new perk for premium cabin passengers flying select routes — the ability to pre-select onboard meals.

American becomes the first U.S. airline to offer an entree reservation program, allowing first and business class passengers the option to review the menu and select meals before flight departure.

Singapore Airlines has a similar "Book the Cook" option that I experienced on a recent trip from New York to Frankfurt.

Booking a meal is a fantastic perk that takes the mystery out of what will be offered. Selecting, and essentially reserving, your meal in advance also reduces the chances your first-choice meal will sell out. (Read more: On Singapore Airlines, Flyers Order Premium Meals in Advance )

"Our entree reservations program is another example of our desire to personalize the travel experience for our customers in our premium cabin, " said Rob Friedman, American's vice president of marketing, in a press release.

The entree reservations program is available on flights between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport, and flights between Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and New York's LaGuardia Airport.

On November 15, the entree reservations program will expand to all flights between JFK and San Francisco International Airport; flights between Chicago O'Hare and Los Angeles; Chicago and LaGuardia; and Dallas and Los Angeles. In addition, American plans to expand the program to all domestic flights by the first quarter of 2013, and to all international flights by the second quarter of 2013.

Once a flight is ticketed, premium class passengers can go to American's website between 30 days and 24 hours prior to the flight's departure to make their selection via the "View Reservation" page. There, passengers can click on "Entree Reservations" to make their selection.

The option to select, change or view an entree reservation will be available up to 24 hours prior to departure.

To learn more about American's entree reservation program and food and beverage service, click here.

In recent weeks, American has had several struggles while it reorganizes in bankruptcy, including delayed and cancelled flights and seats coming loose. (Read more: )