FORT WORTH, TX — American Airlines is facing an unprecedented internal insurrection as the union representing its 28,000 flight attendants pivots from the picket line to the boardroom. As of February 5, 2026, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) has officially launched a scorched-earth campaign aimed at toppling CEO Robert Isom, urging shareholders to oust the executive following years of stalled contract negotiations and what the union describes as “corporate greed.”
Labour relations at the world’s largest airline reached a breaking point today with the unveiling of a new offensive titled “Shame On You.” The campaign is designed to hit the carrier where it hurts most: its investor relations. By mobilising both retail and institutional shareholders, the APFA is seeking to block the re-election of Robert Isom to the board of directors and freeze his executive compensation packages.
The move follows a contentious period where Isom was awarded a massive retention bonus and pay package totalling over $31 million, even as flight attendants, many of whom have not seen a cost-of-living raise in over five years, struggle to keep pace with inflation.
The Boardroom Coup Strategy
Unlike traditional picketing, this “shareholder coup” leverages the power of proxy voting. The APFA is calling on investors to hold leadership accountable for what they term a “toxic culture” that prioritises executive enrichment over operational stability and employee morale…