As the airline industry grapples with ongoing challenges, American Airlines' unions have taken to the streets to demand change. The Allied Pilots Association and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants have united in their frustration with the company's leadership, citing a dismal profit performance that has left employees struggling. At the center of the storm is CEO Robert Isom, who has been under fire from both unions for his handling of the company's finances. While rivals Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have seen significant profits in recent years, American Airlines has struggled to turn a profit, with a net loss of $0.4 billion in 2025. The flight attendants' union claims that the company's profit-sharing system has resulted in take-home pay as low as $150 for some employees last year. The unions have demanded that the company's board take "decisive action" to address the issue, including the removal of Isom ...
As the airline industry grapples with ongoing challenges, American Airlines’ unions have taken to the streets to demand change. The Allied Pilots Association and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants have united in their frustration with the company’s leadership, citing a dismal profit performance that has left employees struggling.
At the center of the storm is CEO Robert Isom, who has been under fire from both unions for his handling of the company’s finances. While rivals Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have seen significant profits in recent years, American Airlines has struggled to turn a profit, with a net loss of $0.4 billion in 2025.
The flight attendants’ union claims that the company’s profit-sharing system has resulted in take-home pay as low as $150 for some employees last year. The unions have demanded that the company’s board take “decisive action” to address the issue, including the removal of Isom as CEO.
The situation has become so dire that the flight attendants have taken to protesting outside the company’s headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. The unions have also coordinated their efforts, with the flight attendants holding a unanimous no-confidence vote in Isom.
While American Airlines has not commented directly on the unions’ demands, the company has acknowledged the impact of winter storms on its operations, which forced the cancellation of nearly 9,000 flights in January. The incident appears to have been the final straw for the unions, who are now calling for a CEO who is more focused on making money for the company.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how American Airlines will respond to the unions’ demands. One thing is clear, however: the airline’s employees are calling for change, and the company’s leadership will need to take immediate action to address their concerns.
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