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American Airlines CEO Robert Isom has agreed to a face-to-face meeting with pilot union representatives following significant pressure from its pilot workforce. The Allied Pilots Association (APA) recently sent an open letter to the carrier, blasting its lagging performance and lack of a clear turnaround strategy.
Isom has now agreed to meet APA leadership as soon as possible to discuss the airline’s shortcomings, while hinting that he has a concrete business plan to help American emerge from its rut. Calls for changes at the top have intensified following severe operational disruption during recent winter storms, but pilots are highlighting years of gradual decline and identity loss.
American CEO Agrees To Union Meeting
In a letter seen by Simple Flying, Isom acknowledged APA’s recently aired concerns and has committed to hosting a face-to-face meeting with APA leaders “as soon as possible.” In a lengthy letter sent to American management on Friday, the pilot union took aim at American’s flagging performance behind rivals Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, with major disruption during the recent Fern and Gianna winter storms pushing pilots to speak out.
Isom said he and APA are aligned in “the desire to make American the strongest airline possible,” stating that he is willing to meet with APA President Nick Silva or the APA Board of Directors. Notably, Isom pointed to specifics raised by APA last week, including the carrier’s lack of a specific business plan to course-correct. The under-fire CEO added that he would personally take a call with APA on Monday to set up a time for the meeting.
Isom said,
“I appreciate the opportunity to address the items outlined in your letter and the specifics you relayed to me personally regarding our handling of Winter Storms Fern and Gianna; American’s focus on pilot attendance policies; and our business plan to return American to its rightful place atop the industry.”
What Are Pilots Upset About?
Although the operational disruptions during recent winter storms have ignited pilot concerns, the truth is that American has been quietly on the decline while Delta and United push ahead. With those two carriers registering billions in yearly profits over 2025, American’s profit margins slipped by an alarming 87%, with the carrier bringing in just $111 million in profits last year.
It has also been on a cost-cutting drive while its rivals spend big on network expansions and fleet upgrades, raising questions over how sustainable American’s performance is in the years ahead. While falling short of calling for Isom’s resignation, APA said that it has “lost confidence in management’s ability to correct course.”
The union represents over 16,000 American pilots and has been considering launching a vote of no-confidence against American leadership. However, it has not taken the nuclear option yet, although its strong statement this week was seen as a precursor to demanding leadership changes.
“Get Your House In Order”: American Airlines Pilots Deliver Scathing Ultimatum To Management
Tensions rise as pilots call for a major strategic overhaul to save the struggling carrier.
Board Or CEO Meeting?
Isom’s offer to meet directly with union leadership may come as something of a surprise. In its letter addressed to American leadership this week, APA said it wanted to meet with the airline’s board of directors, but is now getting a face-to-face meeting with its CEO. Stating that the airline needs to “get its house in order,” this suggested the airline wanted to bypass CEO Isom and encourage a change of leadership through the board.
APA may also take exception to one area of Isom’s reply, namely the part where he mentions “pilot attendance policies,” which suggests that recent operational disruption is the responsibility of pilots and not American’s crew scheduling system. APA has long been critical of American’s scheduling system, and this came to a head during the winter storms Fern and Gianna, when pilots were reportedly being put on hold for up to 12 hours.
