2.09.26 – AA Flight Attendants Issue Vote of No Confidence in CEO Robert Isom

Monday, February 9, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Paul Hartshorn, Jr.
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AA Flight Attendants Issue Vote of No Confidence in CEO Robert Isom

In a historic first, Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) Board of Directors, reflecting collective voice of 28,000 American Airlines Flight Attendants, issued unanimous vote to address ‘relentless downward spiral’ under Isom’s leadership.

DALLAS/FORT WORTH (February 9, 2026) – Decrying management decisions that have resulted in their airline falling “dangerously behind” its competitors, the Union representing American Airlines Flight Attendants, APFA, announced today that its Board of Directors has issued a unanimous vote of no confidence in CEO Robert Isom, a first in the Union’s history against an American Airlines CEO.

The vote is a clear message that American Airlines’ largest unionized workgroup has no confidence or trust in management led by CEO Robert Isom. The Union is demanding accountability, improved operational support and leadership change at American Airlines.

“From abysmal profits earned to operational failures that have front-line Workers sleeping on floors, this airline must course-correct before it falls even further behind,” said Julie Hedrick, President of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), the Union representing more than 28,000 Flight Attendants at American. “This level of failure begins at the very top, with CEO Robert Isom.”

In a message sent to Union Members today, the APFA Board of Directors enumerated the many reasons behind the unanimous vote of no confidence in CEO Robert Isom and the timeline for the progression, including:

• Post-pandemic performance concerns go unsolved: APFA began sounding alarms as American Airlines’ financial losses mounted and operational performance lagged behind major competitors, including United, Delta and Southwest Airlines.
• Executive compensation remains high while management’s financial results deteriorated: Despite failing financial and operational performance, American’s 2023 SEC Proxy Statement revealed significant increases in CEO Robert Isom’s compensation and benefits. During the company’s first-quarter 2024 earnings call, Isom stated he was “not satisfied” with results, even as top executives continued receiving substantial compensation packages.
• A failed corporate sales strategy, supported by CEO Isom, alienated business customers and contributed to a sharp decline in rankings: Management’s failed corporate sales and distribution strategy alienated key business customers and negatively impacted revenue, a major setback for the airline. After departing American abruptly in June 2024, the former chief commercial officer responsible for the sales debacle received more than $462,000 in base pay through January 31, 2025, and nearly $1 million in severance. In May 2025, J.D. Power ranked American Airlines last in first/business class customer satisfaction, with economy and basic economy also trailing major competitors. In The Wall Street Journal’s “2025 Best and Worst Airline Rankings,” American Airlines fell from fifth place in 2023 to last place overall in 2025.
• Operational challenges abound while Unions call for better management: Ongoing chaotic and mismanaged operations during weather events, service inconsistencies and declining customer trust indicate broader operational struggles noted by unionized workgroups at the carrier. By October 2025, all Unions representing American Airlines workers jointly called on management to present a credible turn-around strategy to address worsening performance gaps. The plan never materialized.

“Management’s repeated failures are dragging this airline down and leaving frontline Workers to pay the price, including losing out on meaningful profit sharing at a company that should be thriving,” added Hedrick. “When the recent winter storm hamstrung our operations to the point where Flight Attendants were sleeping on airport floors, Robert Isom’s response was that it was just ‘part of our job.’ His tone-deaf leadership shows a complete disregard for the human element and is actively harming both American Airlines and the people who keep it running every day.”

APFA emphasizes the need for transparent leadership, responsible decision-making and a strategic plan to restore operational performance and rebuild customer confidence. The message also indicates that Flight Attendants, Union Siblings and supporters will soon gather to demand accountability, improved operational support, and leadership change at American Airlines.