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Leadership change at American Airlines; CEO Doug Parker to retire

Dec. 07, 2021
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3 min read
US Airways Leads AMR Merger to Form World's Largest Airline
Leadership change at American Airlines; CEO Doug Parker to retire
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American Airlines is set for a leadership shakeup.

CEO Doug Parker announced on Tuesday that he will retire on March 31, paving the way for current American Airlines President Robert Isom to take over as CEO.

Parker’s retirement will cap a run in which he reshaped both American – and the U.S. airline industry as a whole – in his role as a chief executive.

Parker’s first stint as CEO came at America West, where he took over the top spot in 2001 – just before the 9/11 terrorist attacks set the industry on its heels.

Parker guided the Phoenix-based low-cost carrier through that crisis, and then set the airline on a course that would dramatically alter the landscape of the U.S. aviation industry.

Next came a merger with East Coast-based US Airways.

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Parker’s America West was the acquiring carrier, but his airline assumed the more-widely recognized brand of US Airways. The 2005 deal transformed America West, now US Airways, into a national player that had hubs across the U.S. – notably in Phoenix, Charlotte and Philadelphia. Two other landmark hubs of the combined company — Las Vegas and Pittsburgh — would ultimately be dropped in the 2000s.

There was still one more acquisition to come.

That came in 2012 with a shocking bid by US Airways to acquire much larger American Airlines, which was then reorganizing in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. American initially was cool to the deal, but Parker’s team won over labor groups at American in a move that eventually paved the way for a deal to proceed a year later after forcing American's management team to the table.

The American-US Airways merger closed in 2013, with Parker’s airline again taking the name of the better-known brand of its new partner.

The tie-up came after a wave of consolidation had swept through the U.S. industry. Four big mergers that were announced between 2008 and 2013– United-Continental, Delta-Northwest and Southwest-AirTran – reshaped the competitive landscape of the U.S. market.

But it was American’s merger with US Airways that left it as the world’s biggest airline. And soon – for the first time since that 2013 deal – the carrier will be turning to a new leader to go forward.

"I’m extraordinarily excited about the future of American with Robert as our next leader," Parker said in a Tuesday morning letter to employees. "I have no doubt that the best is yet to come for American, and no one will be cheering louder for all of you than I will."

Featured image by Bloomberg via Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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