Date: February 11, 2026
By: Dean Seal and Allison Pohle, Wall Street Journal
Summary:
American Airlines is facing a deepening internal crisis as unions turn publicly against CEO Robert Isom amid the carrier's continued financial and operational underperformance. The airline posted just $111 million in net income for 2025 — a fraction of Delta's $5 billion and United's $3.3 billion — while ranking 8th in on-time performance. The Association of Professional Flight Attendants, representing approximately 28,000 crew members, issued a historic unanimous vote of no confidence in Isom — the first such action against a sitting American Airlines CEO — and called for his resignation. Flight attendants held public pickets outside airports in February. Frustrations center on operational failures including crew stranding during winter storms, declining service standards, and falling cabin morale. Pilots' unions have also expressed dissatisfaction. Isom issued a video response to employees but critics say it failed to address the core concerns. The airline is pursuing a cabin upgrade strategy in hopes of commanding higher fares, but the path to a turnaround remains uncertain.
One-Sentence Summary: American Airlines CEO Robert Isom faces a historic union revolt and growing calls for his resignation as the carrier lags far behind Delta and United in both profits and on-time performance.
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