Bette Nash, a legendary flight attendant renowned for her record-setting career, has passed away at the age of 88. Nash began her illustrious career in 1957 and was officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the longest-serving flight attendant, achieving over 60 years of service.
Nash’s career in aviation started with Eastern Airlines, which later became American Airlines. She passed away on May 17 after being diagnosed with breast cancer, according to ABC News.
“We mourn the passing of Bette Nash, who spent nearly seven decades warmly caring for our customers in the air,” American Airlines shared in a post on X. “Bette inspired generations of flight attendants. Fly high, Bette.”
Nash held the Guinness World Record for “Longest Career as a Flight Attendant,” with a duration of 64 years and 61 days, a milestone she reached on January 18, 2021, in Arlington, VA.
“I’m the luckiest person in the world,” Nash said in a 2022 ABC News segment, reflecting on her career.
Nash’s aspiration to become a flight attendant began in her teenage years. In a 2016 interview with CNN, she recounted her inspiration: “I wanted to be a flight attendant from the time I got on the first airplane – I was 16 years old, sitting with my mother on a green leather couch at Washington, 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.”
Nash’s enduring dedication and passion for her profession have left a lasting impact, inspiring countless individuals in the aviation industry.