Who is Bette Nash? Longest-serving flight attendant who flew for 70 years, died at 88

The world's longest-serving flight attendant, who made it to the Guinness World Record for spending nearly 70 years in the air, died at the age of 88 on Saturday (May 25), announced her airline.

Bette Nash, who took the job of stewardess during the Eisenhower Administration, breathed her last on May 17 when she was in hospice care after she was diagnosed with breast cancer,ABC News reported.

“Bette was a legend at American and throughout the industry, inspiring generations of flight attendants,” stated AmericanAirlines, in a social media post. “Fly high, Bette. We’ll miss you," it added.

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At the time of her death, Bette was an employee of the carrier, said a company spokesperson.

All about Bette Nash - longest-serving flight attendant

Nash began her career at the age of 21 in 1957 as a flight attendant and became a member of now-defunct Eastern Airlines, as reported by the Association of Professional Flight Attendants.

Eventually, the octogenarian was employed by American Airlines after it purchased many of Eastern’s routes in the 1990s.

“Bette’s remarkable career spanned over six decades, during which she touched countless lives with her warmth, dedication, and unparalleled service,” said the APFA, in a statement.

“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," it added.

In 2022, the Guinness World Record gave her the title of world’s longest-serving flight attendant in 2022, which she still holds. She is known to have flown for 70 years of her life.

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While speaking to CNN in 2016, Nash said that she took her first plane ride at 16 and that was when she discovered what she wanted to become.

“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 added.

She is known to have served plenty of famous fliers, which included Jackie Kennedy. Once, she also helped a man with disabilities before the enactment ofthe Americans with Disabilities Act.

“I love my people. I know my customers. I know what they want. The airline thinks names are important, but I think people’s needs are very important. Everybody wants a little love," she said to CNN.

She was affectionately nicknamed by the company as “Nash-Dash.”

(With inputs from agencies)