World’s Longest-Serving Flight Attendant, Bette Nash, Dies Aged 88

US citizen Bette Nash, who worked as a flight attendant for over 70 years and holds the Guinness World Record for longest-serving flight attendant, died at the age of 88. The American Airlines and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants celebrated her career while announcing the news of her death on social media.

“We mourn the passing of Bette Nash, who spent nearly seven decades warmly caring for our customers in the air. She started in 1957 and held the Guinness World Record for longest-serving flight attendant. Bette inspired generations of flight attendants. Fly high, Bette,” American Airlines said in a statement posted to X.

“Bette’s remarkable career spanned over six decades, during which she touched countless lives with her warmth, dedication and unparalleled service. Her passion for flying and her commitment to her passengers were truly inspiring. Bette’s legacy will forever be remembered in the aviation community and by all who had the privilege of knowing her,” the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), the union representing flight attendants in the United States said in a Facebook post.

Nash began her career in November 4, 1957 and once told broadcaster CNN that the romance and glamour of flying attracted her to the role.

“I wanted to be a flight attendant from the time I got on the first airplane – I was 16 years old, I was sitting with my mother on a green leather couch at Washington [Reagan National Airport], and this crew came up from TWA. The pilot and the flight attendant walked across the hall and I thought ‘Oh my God,’ and I said that was for me” she told the broadcaster in 2016, when she was 80 years old.

According to broadcaster ABC News, the octogenarian flight attendant never officially retired from her role with American Airlines and died on May 17 in hospice care.

She received the Guinness World Record award for having the longest career as a flight attendant in 2022.

“Her career surpasses the last longest flight attendant with 63 years, 61 days as of January 4, 2021,” the Guinness announcement said.

Nash recounted how she saw technology change the aviation industry and recalled that earlier flight schedules were chalked up on a blackboard and manuals and regulations came in the form of books. She says seeing the papers being replaced by tablets was a major advancement.

“Technology really made the difference of, ‘Am I going to stay or am I going to go? But even when I think I might retire or something, I come to work and think, ‘Oh, I couldn’t do that.’ It’s stimulating coming out here. The airlines are evolving continuously, and you have to evolve with them” she said.