The labor union of American Airlines (American Airlines, or American Airlines) is planning to hold a protest rally at the airline’s headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas on Thursday (February 12).
The union is demanding a change in the leadership of American Airlines.
The “Association of Professional Flight Attendants,” representing 28,000 flight attendants of American Airlines, recently initiated a vote of no confidence against the company’s CEO, Robert Isom. The association stated that this is the first time they have taken such action.
Isom has also faced criticism from the Pilots’ Union, which has requested a meeting with the American Airlines board of directors to discuss relevant issues.
Unions representing pilots, flight attendants, and mechanics have all indicated recently that American Airlines needs to improve in order to enhance flight reliability and financial performance.
This protest action is taking place outside of the contract negotiation period, making it an unusual move.
In a statement calling for a strike, the flight attendants’ union expressed, “The airline is heading down a path that jeopardizes our careers. Now is the time for flight attendants to unite, stand up, and protest. American Airlines needs true accountability, decisive action, and leadership that can guide the company back to a competitive track.”
Currently, American Airlines is experiencing a decline in profits and is at a disadvantage in its profit mechanism compared to competitors Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.
A decrease in profits typically means reduced profit sharing for employees, leading to discontent among staff.
Last month, Isom pointed out during a town hall meeting with employees that American Airlines pilots, flight attendants, and other staff recently signed new labor contracts, with wages higher than their counterparts at United Airlines.
Isom is currently working to appease employees. He stated that the company expects improvements in its flight schedule this year, as well as the introduction of new cabins, leading to a significant growth in company profits.
On Wednesday night, Isom outlined the progress American Airlines expects to achieve this year, including significant profit growth, improvements in flight schedules, and new cabins. In a video statement, he said, “We look forward to working together to achieve this goal.”
Four years ago, Isom took over American Airlines, and his team is currently implementing various reforms to create more modern cabins to enhance profitability. The company has also built larger lounges and offers free Wi-Fi to passengers.
Furthermore, the company is adjusting its flight schedule, including spreading flights throughout different times of the day at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) statistics, in the first 11 months of the year, American Airlines ranked eighth in on-time performance with a rate of 73.7%.
In 2025, American Airlines reported a net profit of $111 million, while Delta Air Lines’ net profit was $5 billion and United Airlines’ net profit exceeded $3.3 billion.
American Airlines predicted last month that revenue and profit in 2026 would be even stronger, with an expected adjusted earnings per share of $2.70, higher than last year’s adjusted earnings per share of $0.36.
Last week, during the centennial celebration of the airline at the Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, Isom delivered a speech to about 6,000 managers, looking ahead to future developments. He praised his team as “proud and talented… the best in the industry,” emphasizing that employees “have a responsibility to build on our achievements… ensure we improve profitability… and continue to exist for the next 100 years.”
(This article referenced CNBC’s report)