Tag: APFA demand change

American Airlines flight attendants and union leaders held a protest outside the Fort Worth headquarters Thursday, asking for accountability, improved operational support and that CEO Robert Isom be ousted.

A group of more than 60 flight attendants and union leaders gathered, chanting, “Isom has got to go,” and “We deserve better.”

Dallas-Fort Worth Airport is American’s largest hub, and the carrier employs about 35,000 people in the region. The Association of Professional Flight Attendants blames Isom for a “relentless downward spiral” at the Fort Worth-based carrier.

On Monday, the union sent out a historic vote of no confidence in Isom, saying that his leadership has put the company behind its competitors including United Airlines, Delta and Southwest Airlines.

The APFA, which represents more than 28,000 American Airlines flight attendants, said in a statement that failures from the top have caused a “decline in operation and financial performance.”

Julie Hedrick, president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, said that they have given Isom plenty of time and opportunity to change things around, but the airline continues to fall behind.

“We were a premium carrier,” Hendrick said. “We want to be a premium carrier, and we don’t think that’s going to happen under this leadership team, especially under Robert Isom.”

Hedrick said that the change needs to start with Isom, but the union hopes to see other leadership changes as well.

“Reclaiming American’s reputation as the world’s premium global airline is our mission, and we are relentless in that pursuit,” American told the Star-Telegram in a statement. “The foundation is set, and the plan is in place for us to deliver for our customers, shareholders and each other, and we will do that as one team.

Erik Harris, the national treasurer of APFA, told the Star-Telegram the change needs to happen now.

“We fail quarter after quarter, Harris said. “We’re in the last place, yet we show up, we take care of our passengers, but our product lags. Our profitability is down, and it’s not because of us. Our careers are at risk, our families are at risk, and we’re here to say that it’s time for a change.”

The APFA was not the only union protesting. The CWA, AFA, TWU, SEIU and fleet service took part in the protest.

Tevita Uhatafe, president of the North Texas Area Labor Federation, joined the protest in solidarity with the APFA.

“We will stand with you in this fight until it’s over,” Uhatafe said.

Flight attendants are not the only ones upset with the airlines CEO. The American Airlines Pilots Association, which represents 16,000 pilots, sent a letter to the company’s board saying the airline is underperforming and is showing no signs of having a plan to correct the problems.

On social media the pilots union has been vocal about criticizing the airline’s performance.

Nick Bader, APFA Miami base president, said flight attendants have done their part on hundreds of flights each day to keep the airline going.

“Now, when the company is making money, what do they do? Hide the money,” Bader said. “They’re hiding the money by paying off their debt to not pay us. So thank you all for coming out to join your board of directors, your national office, some members of the EC, and we want to thank the other unions for joining us. We’ve got one message, fire Robert Isom today.

Josh Black, a Phoenix-based flight attendant flying for 12 years and the APFA national secretary, said they are tired of being in last place.

“Our customers want a premium product,” Black said. “They want to have a good experience when they fly American Airlines. The flight attendants are frequently having to apologize for our management’s mistakes when it comes to rescheduling flights, to ensure we have proper items on board. The flight attendants are taking the brunt of it, and we want to see a better product for our passengers.”

This story was originally published February 12, 2026 at 4:23 PM.