American Airlines’ top executive has firmly shut down speculation about a potential merger with United Airlines, describing such a combination as harmful to competition and consumers.
During Thursday’s first-quarter earnings call, CEO Robert Isom made it clear that American has zero interest in joining forces with its Chicago rival, despite earlier suggestions from United’s leadership about approaching the Trump administration regarding a possible deal.
“We’re going to be roommates, and we’re not getting married,” Isom stated, referring to the two airlines’ ongoing competition at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
The comments come as airlines face increasing operational challenges at crowded airports. The Federal Aviation Administration recently imposed flight limits at O’Hare for the summer season after carriers had scheduled more operations than the facility could accommodate.
Isom emphasized American’s commitment to maintaining its Chicago presence, saying “No one’s going to kick us out of Chicago.” He indicated the two carriers would remain “roommates for a long, long time” while competing in the same market.
Without the FAA’s intervention to reduce congestion, O’Hare “would have likely been in a delay program for the very first flight of the day,” according to Isom. He noted that federal measures to address the crowding would enable American to restore its schedule to approximately 500 daily departures from the airport.
While rejecting merger talks, Isom signaled that American is pursuing a different growth strategy through enhanced partnerships. The airline is reportedly in preliminary discussions with Alaska Airlines about expanding their existing collaboration.
Sources indicate the talks could involve bringing Alaska into American’s international joint business arrangements spanning both Atlantic and Pacific routes. The two carriers currently maintain what they call a “West Coast International Alliance” that includes shared booking codes, mutual loyalty program benefits, and connections between Alaska’s West Coast network and American’s international flights.
However, American’s pilot union has already voiced opposition to any expanded partnership, warning it would “vigorously defend” contract provisions related to shared flights. The union criticized plans that would result in “more of our flying done by another airline,” arguing this approach wouldn’t help American become “a globally competitive airline.”
Isom assured that any partnership expansion would comply with existing labor contract restrictions. He emphasized that American sees significant potential to strengthen its relationship with Alaska Airlines while staying within those boundaries.
The CEO also mentioned that while American remains receptive to opportunities involving available assets, the company currently has no active acquisition plans under review.
