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American Airlines management is facing intensifying pressure from nearly every direction, with employees, customers, and shareholders increasingly dissatisfied with the carrier’s performance and strategic direction. As competitors like Delta and United continue to post strong financial results, American’s profitability has lagged significantly. This has fueled growing concerns that the airline lacks a clear path forward under current leadership.
The scrutiny has sharpened in recent weeks following the airline’s disappointing 2025 annual financial report. While American generated $54.6 billion in revenue in 2025, it produced only $111 million in profit, which is a stark contrast to rivals such as Delta Air Lines. It earned more than $5 billion. United Airlines posted $3.35 billion. The gap has further amplified calls for change at the top of the company.
A little over a week ago, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), which represents more than 25,000 American flight attendants has publicly called for the removal of CEO Robert Isom. The union cited deep frustration with operational breakdowns, leadership decisions, and what it views as a failure to protect frontline employees during disruptions.
Tensions escalated further during American’s operational crisis amid Winter Storm Fern. Reports emerged of flight attendants sleeping on airport floors following cancellations. Union leaders made clear they had lost confidence not only in Isom but in the broader management team.
Now, American’s pilots are also speaking out. The Allied Pilots Association (APA) (which represents roughly 16,000 pilots) has issued its own warning signal and stated that members have lost confidence in management’s ability to correct course.
While the APA has not explicitly demanded Isom’s dismissal, the union’s position adds significant weight to the growing labor unrest. The group is reportedly considering a formal vote of no confidence with union leadership meeting this week after being inundated with requests from members.
Speculation is also building around possible action by American’s board of directors. Industry rumors suggest Isom’s departure may be increasingly viewed as a matter of timing rather than possibility with some reports claiming the board could move toward leadership change before the end of the month.
There are also unconfirmed reports that external executive search consultants, including Korn Ferry, may have been brought in to begin exploring potential successors. While not substantiated, the rumors reflect the level of uncertainty surrounding the airline’s leadership future.
American has acknowledged that it has lost too much ground to Delta and United, particularly in premium offerings and operational reliability. The airline is now attempting to shift away from a low-cost mindset toward a more premium-focused model, but critics question whether current leadership is equipped to execute such a transformation.
Beyond financial underperformance, the airline continues to face operational and reputational challenges:
- American ranked among the worst US carriers for delays in 2025, placing third behind Frontier and tied with JetBlue and Southwest.
- Reports of employee hardship during irregular operations have drawn national attention.
- Studies have identified American as the US airline most likely to mishandle luggage.
With both major labor unions representing flight attendants and pilots now expressing serious concern, American Airlines finds itself at a critical moment. Employee morale is strained, customers remain frustrated, and investors are watching closely as the airline struggles to keep pace with competitors.
Anthony’s Take: Whether Robert Isom can steady the airline and deliver a credible turnaround remains an open question. But the pressure is rising quickly, and American’s leadership is facing one of the most challenging periods in the carrier’s modern history. It will take more than Beef Wellington and caviar to fix this one.
(Image Credits: American Airlines.)
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