American Airlines’ CEO longs for the day when Boeing isn’t a distraction

After the Alaska Airlines door-stuffing scandal in January brought Boeing’s problems to the forefront, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom quickly became the planemaker’s chief critic. In an interview with CNBC on Thursday, Isom said he looks forward to Boeing righting the ship.

“For Boeing – it’s just like, I look forward to the day when they’re not just a distraction. “We’ve been struggling with them for the last five years,” Isom said.

He added that he has had conversations with the company’s new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, and his message is clear: Do better.

“We need Boeing to be strong, and I told Kelly that,” Isom said. “Ultimately, though, they need to deliver high-quality aircraft on time, and I would be happy to get the call if Boeing says we will do that.”

Isom’s latest comments came after he previously expressed frustration with the plane maker during American Airlines’ first-quarter earnings call.

“I’ve talked to everyone I can at Boeing and the message is the same: Get your shit together,” he said at the time.

In a filing in April, American Airlines said it expected only three 787 Dreamliners from the six previously expected and that it would reassess its schedule and the impact of Boeing delivery delays. But experts said before Assets that unlike Southwest Airlines, which flies exclusively Boeing planes, American is likely to be better protected from the aircraft manufacturers’ delays because it can use other planes to fill up.

An American Airlines spokesman declined to comment. Boeing did not immediately respond AssetsPlease comment.

Isom also downplayed the impact of Boeing’s problems on the company in Thursday’s interview, even as the aircraft maker reported a $6 billion third-quarter loss and faces further labor unrest after the company’s striking machinists rejected its latest contract proposal this week have rejected. Despite these difficulties, Isom said American will meet its capacity goals regardless of whether Boeing delivers or not.

“I am truly confident that we will be able to deliver and manage our business no matter what happens at Boeing.”