In a historic decision, the union’s board representing American Airlines flight attendants has unanimously chosen to express no confidence in CEO Robert Isom.
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) announced on Monday that this action comes as the airline significantly lags behind its major rivals. The board conveyed to its 28,000 members that the vote was triggered by American’s financial struggles following the pandemic, which continue to trail far behind Delta and United, its two largest competitors.
The figures support the concerns raised by APFA: although American’s total revenue reached a record-high of $54.6 billion for 2025, its GAAP net income amounted to only $111 million, resulting in a mere 0.2% profit margin. In comparison, Delta and United achieved billions in profits with margins of 7.9% and 5.7%, respectively.
The airline’s operational standing has also suffered. American has dropped from fifth place to the bottom in the Wall Street Journal’s 2025 Airline Rankings, and it finished last in the J.D. Power North America Airline Satisfaction Study for First and Business Class.
Particularly concerning for travel advisors, the APFA specifically pinpointed the airline’s unsuccessful corporate sales approach. Initiated in 2024, this strategy was largely perceived as an effort to circumvent the travel trade by denying agency clients loyalty perks and compelling them to book directly. The approach prompted a quick and significant backlash from ASTA and the U.S. travel sector before it was ultimately retracted.
The union emphasized that the strategy, which they assert had Isom’s backing, was a catalyst for the resignation of Vasu Raja, the airline’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.
“The management’s ineffective corporate sales and distribution plan alienated crucial business clientele and adversely affected revenue—a significant setback for the airline,” stated the APFA. The union also called attention to the situation regarding executive pay, pointing out that Raja, after leaving in June 2024, received over $462,000 in base salary until early 2025 in addition to almost $1 million in severance payment.
Although the APFA is the largest collective bargaining group at American, it isn’t the only organization advocating for Isom’s removal. On Friday, the Allied Pilots Association (APA) sent a letter to the board of American requesting “prompt action” and an in-person meeting with directors to discuss what it described as a “continual pattern of operational, cultural, and strategic flaws.”
The pilots are now urging APA President Nick Silva to speak directly to the board, sidestep management, and propose a strategy to revitalize an airline they claim has “failed to establish an identity.”
Fonte: Travel Market Report
