American Airlines Pilots Consider No-Confidence Vote in Leadership

Pilot leaders at American Airlines are weighing whether to launch a formal vote of no confidence in the carrier’s senior management, including chief executive Robert Isom, amid growing frustration over financial performance and operational reliability.

The issue is being discussed this week in Dallas, where the board of the Allied Pilots Association, which represents roughly 16,000 pilots, is holding a regularly scheduled four-day meeting. The deliberations follow last week’s move by the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, which represents about 26,000 flight attendants, to take a similar step.

Many pilots remain troubled by American’s response to Winter Storm Fern, which severely disrupted operations at Charlotte and Dallas/Fort Worth — the airline’s two largest hubs — for several days. The disruption coincided with the release of American’s full-year financial results, adding to employee frustration as crews struggled to reach aircraft while earnings were being reported.

American posted full-year net income of $111 million, a figure that paled in comparison with competitors. Delta Air Lines reported roughly $5 billion in profit for the same period, while United Airlines generated about $3.35 billion. The contrast has sharpened internal criticism about the carrier’s competitive position.

In a message sent to pilots late Monday, APA President Nick Silva said the results highlighted deeper leadership issues. He wrote that the company “appears to lack the tools, creativity, leadership, and willpower to return American to prominence among its peers,” noting that earnings fell short of already modest guidance.

Silva also pointed to the impact on pilot compensation, arguing that weaker profitability translates into lower take-home pay for employees while delivering cost savings to management. He contrasted American’s results with Delta, which is expected to distribute more than $500 million in profit sharing to its pilots this year — more than American’s total annual earnings. Silva added that the earnings gap is expected to persist into 2026.

“The problems extend beyond finances to the very culture and capability of management,” Silva wrote, adding that pilot feedback suggests little confidence that current leadership can unlock the airline’s full potential.

APA spokesman Dennis Tajer said the board is considering all options, including a vote of no confidence, after hearing from hundreds of pilots concerned about both the storm response and financial performance. “Where American is going and whether it will be able to turn around is on the minds of passengers, shareholders, and employees,” Tajer said.

Speaking last week on the earnings call, Isom struck a more optimistic tone, pointing to strong January booking trends and record demand early in the year. He said the foundation built in 2025 positions American for sustainable growth, echoing comments from JPMorgan analyst Jamie Baker, who suggested the airline’s share of industry profits could rise in 2026.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, forbes.com