Wisdom from the Trenches: American Airlines CEO Robert Isom

Robert Isom (photo by Peter Ringenberg/University of Notre Dame)

Robert Isom (BA BS ’86), the CEO of the American Airlines Group, sat down for a fireside chat with Martijn Cremers, dean of the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, for the Dean’s Speaker Series on October 10.

Isom discussed leadership, his journey to American Airlines and his advice for future leaders to an audience of students, faculty and staff in Mendoza’s Jordan Auditorium at the Mendoza College of Business. Following are a few key takeaways from the lively conversation.

Leveraging the “incredibly beneficial” dual educational background

Robert Isom and Dean Cremers (photo by Peter Ringenberg/University of Notre Dame)

Isom described his time at Notre Dame as a formative period on his path to success, shaped by his dual-degree experience. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts in English. While he admitted that engineering was “pretty tough,” his liberal arts studies — driven by a love of reading — provided a crucial balance that he called “just essential” to his later success. His technical training helped him land a job at Procter & Gamble, while the communication skills gained through his English degree enabled him to fund his MBA by teaching technical writing to engineers.

Creating a people-centric and purpose-driven leadership philosophy

Isom views the airline industry as fundamentally people-centered, emphasizing that American Airlines’ core purpose is “to care for people on life’s journey.” He underscored the immense responsibility of serving 650,000 customers each day, many traveling for significant life events such as weddings, funerals, and births. Guided by this perspective, he makes business decisions with a focus on caring for customers, the company’s 130,000-plus team members and the communities they serve.

Fostering a culture of collaboration and accessibility

After the 2014 merger of US Airways and American Airlines, company leaders focused on dismantling the “us-versus-them” mindset that had lingered, particularly at the Fort Worth corporate headquarters. A redesign of the headquarters introduced an open town center and cubicles without walls, even for the CEO, to encourage connection and transparency. Isom highlighted collaboration as a core leadership value, reinforced by a simple rule: “no jerks.” This principle fosters an environment where differing opinions are welcome, but mutual respect and teamwork remain essential.

Navigating industry shifts and embracing premium experiences

The airline industry operates with high fixed costs, and Isom described the CEO’s role as “all-encompassing,” influenced by factors ranging from geopolitical events to weather and government shutdowns. During the COVID-19 pandemic, demand plunged by 90%, forcing the company to focus on survival. In the post-pandemic era, travel rebounded but shifted from frequent short business trips to longer journeys that blend business and leisure. In response, American Airlines has invested in enhanced experiences, including more first- and business-class seating and upgraded airport lounges, to meet growing demand for premium travel.

Exploring vast career opportunities beyond the cockpit

The CEO encouraged students to seek hands-on experiences “in the trenches” to build both a reputation and a valuable network. “Relationships matter, and a crisis is no time for introductions,” he said. He encouraged students to consider careers in aviation, as airlines are complex, legacy-driven organizations that depend on experts across many fields, including finance professionals, who manage billions of dollars in capital investments, and technology experts, who use digital tools to enhance customer experiences and explore AI applications to improve efficiency.

The Dean’s Speaker Series brings distinguished executives from leading global companies to share insights on leadership, careers, global trends and the challenges shaping business and society. The series is sponsored by the Burns Family Endowment.