American Airlines flight attendants stage a sit-in as frustrations grow

American Airlines The flight attendants’ union plans to stage a sit-in outside the company’s headquarters on Thursday to demand new leadership at the airline, which has fallen behind its competitors Delta Airlines and United Airlines In profitability and punctuality.

Before the sit-in on Wednesday night, US CEO Robert Isom sought to calm frustrated employees and listed improvements the company expects this year, including a jump in profits as well as improvements to schedules and new cubicles.

“We look forward to working with all of you to make this happen,” Isom said in a video message filmed at the airline’s headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas.

The sit-in comes days after the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, which represents the 28,000 American cabin crew, issued a vote of no confidence in Isom, which the union said was the first such move. The CEO was also criticized by the pilots’ union, which sought a meeting with the board of the airline, to which Isom belongs, to discuss the problems. Pilots, flight attendants and mechanics unions recently said the company needs to do a better job of improving reliability and financial results.

Protesting is an unusual step outside of contract negotiations.

Signals from labor groups have increased pressure on Isom, who took the helm nearly four years ago, and the U.S. leadership team, which is investing in cabin upgrades, larger airport lounges and other on-board products.

Last month, American forecast stronger revenue and earnings for 2026, and said it expected to report adjusted earnings per share of up to $2.70, up from an adjusted 36 cents last year.

American is in the middle of a revamp that it hopes will help revive profits with more modern aircraft cabins commanding higher fares, which is especially important as coach class prices decline. It also built larger lounges and added free Wi-Fi for customers.

During the first 11 months of the year, America ranked eighth in punctuality with a 73.7% on-time rate, according to the Department of Transportation. It is now adjusting its schedules, including at its massive international hub in Dallas-Fort Worth, where it is spreading flights more throughout the day.

But it has a long way to go. In 2025, American has net income of $111 million compared to $5 billion for Delta and more than $3.3 billion for United. Lower profits mean lower profit sharing for employees, which employees complained about.

At a city council meeting with employees last month, Isom noted that American pilots, flight attendants and other groups had recently entered into new labor contracts that meant higher wages compared to their counterparts at rival United. But he said he was disappointed with the profit sharing.

The flight attendants also said they were frustrated by Americans’ struggle to recover from major winter storms, which left some crew members without a place to sleep.

“This airline is heading down a path that puts our careers at risk,” the flight attendants union said in a notice about the sit-in. “Now is the time for flight attendants to stand together and protest. American Airlines needs real accountability, decisive action, and leadership that will get this airline back on a competitive path.”

Isom is also trying to not only gain the support of front-line crews but also rally senior officials. Last week, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, Isom spoke to about 6,000 managers about the years ahead as the airline turns 100.

“We filled an entire stadium in Major League Baseball with this proud and talented team. The best in the industry,” he said, according to a transcript of his remarks, seen by CNBC. “We must all build on the progress we have made… and ensure increased profitability so that America will exist for the next 100 years.”