American Airlines Flight Attendants Demand CEO Ouster

Union calls for new leadership to address airline's lagging financial and operational performance

Jan. 28, 2026 at 8:39am

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The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), which represents over 25,000 American Airlines flight attendants, has published a scathing letter calling for the resignation of CEO Robert Isom. The union cites American's continued poor financial results, declining operational metrics, and failure to keep pace with competitors Delta and United as evidence that new leadership is needed to turn the airline around.

Why it matters

American Airlines has long struggled to match the operational and financial performance of its major competitors. The flight attendant union's public demand for Isom's ouster reflects growing employee frustration with the airline's direction under its current management team, which has failed to articulate a clear vision or strategy to regain ground against Delta and United.

The details

In its letter, the APFA union criticized American's 2025 financial results, which saw profits decline 87% year-over-year. The union also pointed to the airline's poor rankings in the Wall Street Journal's 2025 airline quality study, where American placed last in several key metrics like on-time arrivals, mishandled baggage, and canceled flights. The union argued that Isom and American's board have failed to invest in the airline's product and customer experience, instead focusing solely on cost-cutting measures that have left the airline behind its peers.

  • American Airlines released its 2025 fourth quarter and full-year earnings on January 28, 2026.
  • In October 2025, the APFA union communicated concerns about American's poor customer satisfaction rankings.

The players

Robert Isom

The CEO of American Airlines, who the APFA union is calling to be fired due to the airline's continued poor financial and operational performance under his leadership.

Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA)

The union that represents over 25,000 American Airlines flight attendants and has published a scathing letter demanding CEO Robert Isom's resignation.

Delta Air Lines

One of American's major competitors, which the APFA union says is significantly outperforming American in terms of financial and operational metrics.

United Airlines

Another major competitor of American that the APFA union says is outpacing American in performance.

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What they’re saying

“It is easy to see why employees, investors, and Wall Street are deeply concerned, and it is no surprise why CEO Robert Isom has ended all Labor-management meetings, employee town halls, Crew News sessions, and, perhaps most telling, the question-and-answer session at today's State of the Airline.”

— APFA, Union representing American Airlines flight attendants

“The status quo is indefensible. The bottom of the rankings, quarter after quarter, is unacceptable. Accountability at the top is long overdue.”

— APFA, Union representing American Airlines flight attendants

What’s next

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The takeaway

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