Bette Nash, who held the title of the world’s longest-serving flight attendant for over 65 years, passed away on May 17 at the age of 88. American Airlines, her employer for more than half a century, announced her passing on social media, paying tribute to her service and dedication to caring for customers in the air.
Nash began her career with Eastern Airlines in 1957 before joining American Airlines when they acquired Eastern’s routes in 1990. She was based in the Washington, D.C. area during her time with Eastern Airlines and continued to work with American Airlines until her death. Her lifelong passion for being a flight attendant began at the age of 16 when she took her first airplane ride and was inspired by the crew walking by.
In an interview with CNN in 2016, Nash shared how she pursued her dream of becoming a flight attendant after graduating from college. She went on to hold many records throughout her career, including being named Guinness World Records’ world’s longest-serving flight attendant in January 2022. Her legacy will live on as she is remembered as a legend who inspired generations of flight attendants to follow in her footsteps.
