American Airlines CEO Faces No-Confidence Vote
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) has issued a formal vote of no confidence in American Airlines CEO Robert Isom, escalating labor tensions at the carrier amid concerns over performance and leadership direction.
In a statement released earlier this week, the union said the airline is falling behind key competitors and accused current leadership of failing to reverse the trend. APFA representatives criticized executive compensation decisions, arguing that senior leaders have awarded themselves substantial pay packages despite what the union described as deteriorating financial and operational performance.
The union also pointed to a controversial sales and distribution strategy that sought to steer customers away from traditional booking agencies and toward direct sales channels. That approach, which reportedly alienated high-yield corporate and agency customers, was later reversed after negative commercial impacts.
APFA said frontline employees should not be asked to shoulder additional sacrifices while executive leadership remains unchanged. The union noted that many flight attendants have endured bankruptcies, wage concessions, revised work rules, and years of instability at American and its predecessor airlines.
In parallel, the Allied Pilots Association (APA), which represents approximately 16,000 American Airlines pilots, has requested a meeting with the company’s board of directors to discuss concerns about leadership and performance, according to media reports. Isom has agreed to participate in that discussion.
Although American Airlines has remained profitable in recent years, it has trailed major rivals United Airlines and Delta Air Lines in operating margins and overall financial performance. Competitive pressures, network strategy, and customer loyalty positioning have become focal points in investor and labor discussions.
During the airline’s 2025 full-year earnings call, Isom reaffirmed his confidence in the company’s long-term strategy, stating that 2026 would begin delivering stronger results built on groundwork laid in 2025. He outlined priorities including enhancing the customer experience, optimizing the network and fleet, strengthening partnerships, and refining sales, distribution, and revenue management initiatives.
The no-confidence vote does not automatically trigger leadership changes but underscores growing internal pressure as American Airlines seeks to close the performance gap with its peers.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com