Robert D. Isom

Executive photo - Robert D. Isom

Chief Executive Officer and President

Director since:

2022

Education
  • BS, Mechanical Engineering, BA, English, Notre Dame
  • MBA, University of Michigan

Mr. Isom is a seasoned aviation industry executive, with more than two decades of leadership experience at American Airlines and its legacy company brand. His deep expertise in finance, commercial strategy and operations provides crucial insights to Board discussions on stockholder value creation initiatives.

During Mr. Isom’s tenure as CEO and President, he has implemented strategies that have consistently improved the Company’s financial performance, including generating record full-year revenue of $54.2 billion in 2024. He has led the Company’s work to enhance its operational reliability, build a stronger global network, improve its fleet utilization and strengthen its balance sheet.

Under Mr. Isom’s leadership, American has finalized new collective bargaining agreements with all of its major represented workgroups. Additionally, his strategic vision has led to advancements in the airline’s safety culture, resulting in the Company’s recognition as one of the top 25 safest airlines in 2024.

Key skills and experience:

  • Airline / travel / transportation
  • Consumer / customer service
  • Financial / accounting
  • Investment
  • International leadership
  • Risk management
  • Senior leadership
  • Safety
  • Human capital / union relations
  • Sustainability

Career highlights:

  • Chief Executive Officer, American Airlines Group and American Airlines (NASDAQ: AAL) – a leading global airline (2022 - present)
  • President, American Airlines Group and American Airlines (2016 - present)
  • Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, American Airlines Group and American Airlines (2013 - 2016)
  • Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, US Airways Group, Inc. and US Airways, Inc. – legacy international airline that merged with American Airlines in 2013 (2007 - 2013)

Past public company directorships:

Pinnacle Airline Corporation (NYSE: PNCL) (became wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines in 2013) (2003 - 2005)

Notable affiliations:

  • Vice Chair, Airlines for America
  • Chairman of the Governing Board, oneworld Alliance
  • Board of Governors Member, International Air Transport Association
  • Member, Airlink Governor’s Council
  • Board Member, Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership
  • Board Member (Civic Committee), Commercial Club of Chicago
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