World’s Longest-Serving Flight Attendant Passes Away at 88

 

Bette Nash, the World's Longest-Serving Flight Attendant, Dies at 88

Bette Nash, the world's longest-serving flight attendant, passed away at the age of 88 after nearly 70 years in the air. American Airlines, her employer, announced her death in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

World's longest-serving flight attendant and Manassas resident, Bette Nash, dies at age 88

"She started in 1957 and held the Guinness World Record for longest-serving flight attendant," the airline said. "Bette inspired generations of flight attendants. Fly high, Bette."

Nash began her career at 21 with Eastern Airlines, the predecessor of American Airlines, working on the shuttle flight between Washington DC, where she lived, and Boston. She preferred this route as it allowed her to return home every night.

Though she initially planned to move on after a few years, she stayed, becoming a familiar face to frequent flyers. She never officially retired from her position.

"The people are exactly the same," she told CBS News in 2017. "Everybody needs a little love."

According to US media reports, she died on May 17 in a hospice after being recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants, the union representing Nash, expressed their sorrow to CBS. "Our thoughts are with her family and friends during this difficult time. Bette will always be an integral part of our history and she will not be forgotten."