2.09.26 – APFA Issues Unanimous Vote of No Confidence in American Airlines CEO Robert Isom

APFA Issues Unanimous Vote of No Confidence
in American Airlines CEO Robert Isom

Monday, February 9, 2026

The Board of Directors of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), reflecting the collective voice of 28,000 American Airlines Flight Attendants, took the necessary step of issuing a unanimous vote of no confidence in CEO Robert Isom. Our airline is falling dangerously behind its competitors, and the current leadership has failed to change course.

How did we get here? How did American fall so far behind so fast with Isom at the helm?

APFA began raising concerns as post-pandemic losses mounted and American’s performance trailed United, Delta, and Southwest. Even as the airline underperformed, the 2023 American Airlines SEC Proxy Statementshowed significant increases in CEO Robert Isom’s pay and benefits. At the first quarter 2024 financial earnings presentation, Mr. Isom publicly stated he was “not satisfied” with the company’s financial results, yet top executives were handsomely rewarded with compensation packages that stood in stark contrast to the airline’s deteriorating financial and operational performance.

By early 2025, American’s continued losses and lagging performance raised serious concerns about the airline’s long-term competitiveness and management decision-making. After leaving American Airlines in June of 2024, the former Chief Commercial Officer, who was directly responsible for the high-profile sales and distribution debacle that set American back years and alienated thousands of high-revenue customers and businesses, continued receiving base pay through January 31, 2025, totaling more than $462,000. This was followed by a nearly $1 million lump-sum payment upon the conclusion of his severance. (Source: 10-K for American Airlines Group filed 2/19/2025). This failed corporate sales strategy was approved at the highest levels of leadership through CEO Robert Isom, and all employees are still paying a dear price for it today.

In May 2025, as employees awaited promised progress on financial performance, operational reliability, and handling of irregular operations, J.D. Power placed American Airlines last in customer satisfaction for First/Business Class. Economy and Basic Economy once again lagged the segment average and trailed every major competitor. These results mirror the reality Flight Attendants see on the line every day: Eroding service standards, chaotic operational meltdowns, and a brand hemorrhaging customer trust have become the norm under Isom’s leadership.

By October 2025, all Unions at American came together to call out the airline’s continued downward spiral and widening performance gap compared to our competitors. Union Leaders asked management to outline a credible path forward—one that required leadership willing to face reality and act decisively. That plan never materialized. Performance, operational metrics, and the handling of irregular operations have worsened. All under Isom’s leadership.

Last month’s fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 earnings further eroded confidence among employees, investors, and Wall Street. The Wall Street Journal’s 2025 Best and Worst Airline Rankings placed American at or near the bottom in nearly every category, with performance worsening year over year. For Overall Best Airline, American slipped from fifth place in 2023 to last place in 2025. These are not abstract rankings. They reflect a company losing ground, losing relevance, and risking all our careers.

Many of us have already lived through bankruptcies, wage and work rule concessions, and years of instability at American and its predecessor airlines. We know how this works. We are not interested in being asked, yet again, to sacrifice or bail out a company that continues to reward failed leadership while falling further behind. Employees have already borne the cost of the company’s repeated failures, losing out on meaningful profit sharing in a company that should be thriving. Isom has had years to lead, yet the airline continues its relentless downward spiral.

The time for excuses is over. Flight Attendants, Union Siblings, and supporters will soon gather to demand accountability, improved operational support, and leadership change at American Airlines — starting at the top, because this level of failure begins with CEO Robert Isom.

The Board of Directors of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), reflecting the collective voice of 28,000 American Airlines Flight Attendants, took the necessary step of issuing a unanimous vote of no confidence in CEO Robert Isom. This vote is a clear and unequivocal message that the current leadership is failing, and the airline’s future and our livelihoods cannot continue to be entrusted to this team. American Airlines needs real accountability, decisive action, and leadership willing to put this airline back on a competitive path.

In Solidarity,