Robert Isom

After earning his MBA, Isom began his career in the airline industry at Northwest Airlines. He later worked at America West Airlines, before becoming the chief restructuring officer of GMAC, LLC. Isom then returned to America West, which had in 2005 merged with and was then named US Airways, to become Executive Vice President and COO.^[6]

Following the merger of US Airways and American Airlines in 2013, Isom retained his previous position in the newly combined airline. In 2016, Isom became president of American Airlines. On December 7, 2021, it was announced by the airline that Isom would be succeeding Doug Parker as CEO, and on March 31, 2022, following Parker's resignation, Isom became CEO and joined the board of directors.^[7]

Before officially becoming CEO, Isom was appointed to the Homeland Security Advisory Council on March 17, 2022, by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas.^[8]

On January 29, 2025, Isom released a video statement following the Potomac River mid-air collision involving American Eagle Flight 5342. He also announced that he would be traveling to Washington, D.C. with an American Airlines team and joined a press conference at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport the following day.^[9]

As CEO of American Airlines, Isom received $15.6 million in compensation.^[10]

Isom has donated to both Democratic and Republican political campaigns, as well as to the American Airlines PAC.^[11] He has also supported Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act.^[12][13]