- She was associated with American Airlines and never officially retired.
- Nash began his career in 1957 at age 21, when plane tickets cost $12.
Bette Nash, the world’s longest serving flight attendant, has died at the age of 88.
“We mourn the passing of Bette Nash, who served customers on our flights for nearly seven decades,” American Airlines said in a statement posted to its Twitter account.
“She joined the company in 1957 and holds the Guinness World Record for being the longest serving flight attendant. Bette has inspired generations of flight attendants. Fly high, Bette.”
According to ABC News, Nash worked for American Airlines for 67 years and had never officially retired.
According to the outlet, she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and passed away on May 17 under hospice care.
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), the union representing US flight attendants, also posted a tribute to Nash on Facebook.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bette Nash, who served with DCA and was one of the most senior flight attendants in the world.
Bette’s remarkable career spanned more than six decades during which she touched countless lives with her warmth, dedication and unparalleled service.
“Her passion for flying and dedication to her passengers was truly inspirational. Bette’s achievements will be forever remembered by the aviation community and all who had the privilege of knowing her.”
Nash began his career at age 21 with Eastern Airlines (later to become American Airlines).
Mail Online previously reported that when Nash first started flying, tickets cost just $12 (£9) and schedules were written on a blackboard. He flew with the Kennedys and enjoyed platters of lobster and other carcasses.
In 2022, she earned the Guinness World Records title as the world’s longest serving flight attendant.
She worked mainly on routes between New York, Boston and Washington, D.C., so she could get home each night to care for her son, who has Down syndrome.
Over the years, Bette has built lasting relationships with shuttle passengers, with regular passenger Simon Johnson telling Mail Online in 2017: “I think the most wonderful and impressive thing about Bette is that she keeps the whole cabin warm.”
“You walk in and she knows your name and remembers the conversation she had with you yesterday, last week or even a month ago.”