American Airlines’ internal turmoil doesn’t change your ticket overnight, but it should change how you book for 2026. If you need the best odds of an on-time trip and predictable service, Delta and United look like safer bets right now. If you’re chasing AAdvantage status, sitting on a stash of AA miles, or live at an American hub, American Airlines can still make sense—with a few smart guardrails.
What triggered the latest round of concern is not a new fee or schedule change. It’s a public breakdown in labor confidence. The Association of Professional Flight Attendants is calling for new leadership. American’s pilots are openly signaling “no confidence.” And rumors are swirling about CEO Robert Isom’s future.
Here’s how I’d compare American vs. Delta vs. United for your 2026 travel plans, with miles, comfort, and reliability in mind.
American vs. Delta vs. United (2026): the quick comparison
| Category | American Airlines | Delta Air Lines | United Airlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Hub captives (DFW/CLT/PHX/MIA/ORD), AAdvantage loyalists, some strong partners | Travelers prioritizing operational consistency and premium economy experience | Network breadth, international connectivity, and Star Alliance award options |
| Current risk factor | Elevated labor-management tension; operational confidence questioned by unions | Lower relative labor drama; strong execution lately | Generally solid execution; occasional volatility at busy hubs |
| Loyalty currency | AAdvantage (high-value partner awards, fewer bank transfer paths) | SkyMiles (easy to earn, often pricier to redeem) | MileagePlus (strong partner access, often good award availability) |
| Bank points “transfer” angle | Limited: Bilt can transfer to AA; otherwise indirect routes | Broad: Amex Membership Rewards and others can help via partners | Broad: Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers 1:1 to United |
| Upgrade picture | Elites can do well on the right routes, but competition is heavy | Upgrades can be tough due to lots of elites and paid first class | Strong for top elites; plus points and wide premium cabin growth |
| Premium cabin trend | Investing, but execution uneven by fleet and route | Consistent domestic first and strong soft product | Big Polaris footprint internationally; improving domestic premium mix |
| Operational headline from 2025 | Profits fell 87%; Q4 missed guidance with no profit; Winter Storm Fern disruption for four days at key hubs | Rivals earned billions while AA posted no Q4 profit | Stronger financial footing than AA; expanding premium and network |
What’s going on at American right now—and why travelers should care
This is not just Wall Street drama. When two major unions publicly turn up the heat, it can spill into day-to-day operations in subtle ways. Think slower recoveries during irregular operations, more tense customer interactions, and less trust that leadership can execute a turnaround.
Union pressure is now very public
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) has demanded new leadership after American’s Q4 and full-year 2025 results missed expectations. APFA framed it as a “pattern of failure,” and pushed for shareholder intervention.
American’s pilots, represented by the Allied Pilots Association (APA), also escalated. The APA told the board it wants “decisive change,” and said pilots have lost confidence in management’s ability to correct course. The APA represents more than 16,000 pilots, so this isn’t a fringe complaint.
For travelers, the key point is momentum. When both the cabin and cockpit groups signal leadership distrust, it’s harder for an airline to sell a confident turnaround story.
The financial and operational context is ugly
American’s 2025 profits fell 87%. In Q4, American came in below its own modest guidance and posted no profit. Rivals were still printing billions.
Then Winter Storm Fern hit. American’s operations at key hubs like Charlotte and Dallas were disrupted for four days. Storms happen to every airline. The real differentiator is recovery speed.
APFA also pointed to profit-sharing optics. One example cited was about $150 for a $50,000 earner at American, versus Delta’s profit sharing that has historically been far richer, sometimes described as “weeks of pay.”
Rumors: leadership change could come fast
As of Saturday, February 7, 2026, no leadership change has been announced. Still, industry chatter has focused on CEO Robert Isom potentially exiting by late February 2026.
There have also been unconfirmed reports that Korn Ferry is involved in a CEO search. American’s Chief Commercial Officer, Nat Pieper, has been floated as a possible successor. Analysts have argued American needs a transformative leader, not a stopgap.
You don’t need to trade airline stocks to care. Leadership churn often brings strategy shifts. That can affect schedules, fleet plans, and loyalty program priorities.
Price: don’t assume American is cheaper (but it can be)
Airfare pricing is route-by-route. On many competitive city pairs, American will match Delta and United within a few dollars.
Where American can still be a value is:
- Last-minute business markets where it has dominant hub share
- Off-peak hub-to-hub flying where it dumps inventory
- Some connecting itineraries where Delta and United price higher for convenience
Where Delta and United often win:
- When you value schedule reliability enough to pay a bit more
- When you want fewer connections and more nonstop choices outside AA hubs
Because 2026 is shaping up as a “watch the operation” year at American, I’d assign real value to fewer connections. If a connection misfires during a disruption, you lose a whole day fast.
⚠️ Heads Up: If you book American with a connection through CLT or DFW during peak storm months, pad your connection time and avoid last flights of the night.
Comfort and onboard experience: consistency matters more than peaks
American can be perfectly fine on the right aircraft, in the right seat, on the right route. The problem is consistency.
American Airlines
- Domestic first varies a lot by aircraft type and cabin condition.
- Main Cabin Extra can be a solid perk for elites and paid upgrades.
- Premium-heavy strategy is promised, but the passenger experience can feel uneven.
Delta Air Lines
- Delta’s strength is consistency.
- You generally know what you’re getting in service flow and cabin upkeep.
- If you care about a smoother experience across many trips, Delta shines.
United Airlines
- United’s international premium product (Polaris) is a clear selling point.
- Domestically, United has improved premium seating and cabin refreshes.
- United is often a strong pick if your year includes long-haul travel.
If you’re booking premium cabins, the “best” airline can flip by route and aircraft. But for economy travelers, the airline that runs on time more often feels like the best seat upgrade of all.
Reliability and irregular operations: the hidden 2026 differentiator
Storms, ATC delays, and maintenance happen. What separates airlines is how quickly they recover and how well they communicate.
American’s Winter Storm Fern disruption lasting four days at key hubs is the type of event unions cite when arguing leadership has failed operationally. Delta and United have had their own meltdowns in the past. Still, right now the narrative pressure is concentrated at American.
For you, this should change booking behavior:
- Prefer nonstops when possible
- Avoid tight connections
- Fly earlier in the day
- Choose routings with multiple later backup flights
That last point matters most. Delta and United often have deeper “reaccommodation benches” at their biggest hubs.
Miles and points: where American can still win big
This is where the decision gets more interesting. American’s miles can be harder to earn from transferable currencies, but they can be very rewarding to redeem well.
Earning: easiest paths differ by airline
Here’s the “transfer” reality in plain English:
| What you have | American AAdvantage | Delta SkyMiles | United MileagePlus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big bank points | Limited direct options; Bilt is the standout | Strong access via Amex and more | Strong access via Chase Ultimate Rewards |
| Flying earns | Good if you fly AA often, plus oneworld partners | Easy to earn, but redemptions can be pricey | Easy to earn and redeem across Star Alliance |
| Shopping/dining portals | Strong, and often overlooked | Strong | Strong |
If you collect bank points and want flexibility, Delta and United are generally easier to feed.
If you mostly earn from flying and an AA co-branded card, American can still be a smart lane.
Redeeming: American’s partner awards can be the sweet spot
American’s best redemptions are often on partner airlines, especially when you find saver space. This is where AAdvantage can beat SkyMiles in value.
United also does well here because Star Alliance breadth gives you many routing options. Delta can be excellent for flash sales, but you can also see eye-watering prices when demand spikes.
Status implications: pick the program you’ll actually feed
If you’re chasing elite status, instability doesn’t automatically erase elite value. But it can change how much you enjoy earning it.
- If you’re already deep into AAdvantage status, switching mid-year can waste progress.
- If you’re starting fresh in 2026, United or Delta can be simpler choices for many travelers.
- If you live at DFW or CLT, AAdvantage status can still deliver outsized value due to network access.
The union timeline you should know (because it frames 2026)
These dates matter because they show escalation speed:
| Date | What happened | Why it matters to travelers |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 28, 2026 | APFA demanded new leadership after earnings disappointment | Signals cabin-crew frustration is now public and direct |
| Feb. 5, 2026 | APFA memo criticized the board and cited the 87% profit drop | Raises pressure on governance, not just management |
| Feb. 7, 2026 | APA meeting ended with a “no confidence” declaration | Pilot group pressure adds operational and reputational weight |
This is the backdrop as rumors swirl about CEO Robert Isom and a potential search process involving Korn Ferry, with Nat Pieper mentioned as a possible successor.
Choose American vs. Delta vs. United: real-world scenarios
Choose American Airlines if…
- You live in an American fortress hub like DFW, CLT, PHX, or MIA.
- You already hold meaningful AAdvantage status and use the perks often.
- You’re booking a simple nonstop, ideally early in the day.
- You plan to redeem AAdvantage miles for partner awards and can book when space appears.
Choose Delta if…
- You prioritize operational consistency and service rhythm.
- You do lots of short domestic trips where disruption ruins the day.
- You earn lots of points through Amex and want easy transfer flexibility.
- You’d rather pay a bit more than stress through tight connections.
Choose United if…
- Your travel includes international trips where Polaris and Star Alliance matter.
- You want strong award options through MileagePlus and partners.
- You earn Chase points and like 1:1 transfers for last-minute awards.
- You prefer an airline with broad network coverage and many reroute options.
The nuanced verdict for 2026
American Airlines is not a carrier to write off. Its network is massive. Its hubs are powerful. AAdvantage miles can still deliver excellent redemptions, especially on partners.
But the combination of an 87% profit drop in 2025, a Q4 with no profit while rivals made billions, and escalating union pressure is a real yellow flag for travelers. Add in the Winter Storm Fern four-day hub disruption, and I’d be more cautious with complex itineraries on American right now.
If you’re booking spring and summer 2026 trips, my practical play is simple: book the airline that gives you the cleanest itinerary. Favor nonstops, earlier departures, and routes with multiple same-day backups. And if you’re planning to shift loyalty, make that decision by the end of February 2026, since leadership changes at American could bring fast strategy shifts that ripple into schedules and loyalty priorities.
American Airlines Unions Demand CEO Robert Isom Step Down
American Airlines is grappling with significant labor unrest and financial underperformance heading into 2026. With unions representing both pilots and flight attendants calling for new leadership, operational reliability is under scrutiny. While Delta and United offer more stability and easier point transfers, American’s AAdvantage program still provides value. Travelers are encouraged to book cautious itineraries, favoring nonstops and early departures to avoid potential recovery delays at major hubs.
