Unprecedented No-Confidence Vote Challenges American Airlines CEO
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom is under fire as the carrier’s flight attendants union issued an unprecedented vote of no confidence on Monday, February 9th. The Association of Professional Flight Attendants, representing over 28,000 flight attendants, unanimously approved the measure. This marks the first time in the union’s history it has taken such action against an American Airlines CEO.
The vote comes in the wake of growing dissatisfaction over the Fort Worth-based airline’s financial underperformance compared to rivals Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. In 2025, American’s earnings were a mere $111 million, while Delta and United brought in $5 billion and $3.3 billion respectively. Union President Julie Hedrick pointed to the “abysmal profits earned to operational failures that have front-line workers sleeping on floors,” demanding accountability and a change in leadership.
The criticism escalated following recent winter storm recovery issues that left crews stranded without proper accommodations. The pilots’ union, the Allied Pilots Association, has also voiced concerns and is seeking urgent meetings with the board of directors. Despite the mounting pressure, Isom, who assumed the CEO role in March 2022, remains optimistic. He asserts that 2026 will be “the year these efforts start to bear fruit,” referencing the airline’s multi-year turnaround strategy focused on premium experiences and network optimization.