World’s longest-serving flight attendant dies after nearly 70 years of airborne service
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Bette Nash of American Airlines has died at the age of 88 after nearly 70 years of airborne service, which made her the world’s longest-serving flight attendant ever.
The news was broken by American Airlines which mourned her death in a post on X (Twitter).
“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.”
The BBC reports Nash began her career at the age of 21 with Eastern Airlines, working on its shuttle flight between Washington DC, where she lived, and Boston. She preferred the route because it allowed her to spend every night at home.
She had intended to move on after a few years, but ended up staying, becoming a familiar sight to frequent flyers on the route long after it was taken over by American Airlines. She never officially retired from her post.
“The people are exactly the same,” she told the BBC’s US partner CBS News in 2017. “Everybody needs a little love.”
According to other US media outlets, she died on 17 May in a hospice after recently having been diagnosed with breast cancer.
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants, the union which represented Nash, told CBS it was saddened by her death.
“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.”
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