Longest Serving Flight Attendant Who ‘Inspired Generations’ Passes Away at 89

A legendary, and record-setting flight attendant has passed away.

Bette Nash, who became a flight attendant in 1957 and was officially recognized for her years of service by the Guinness World Record as the longest-serving flight attendant after 60 years, was 88.

Her storied career in aviation that spanned decades, initially working for Eastern Airlines, which would eventually become American Airlines. Nash 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’s official Guinness World Record is for “Longest Career as a Flight Attendant” with a duration of 64 years and 61 days. Nash achieved the record on January 18, 2021 in Arlington, VA. 

“I’m the luckiest person in the world,” Nash shared in a 2022 ABC News segment reflecting on her career.

As to how she got started, the iconic flight attendant told CNN in 2016 that the position became a dream of hers when she was a teenager.

“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, and this crew came up from TWA,” she recalled. “The pilot and the flight attendant walked across the hall and I thought ‘Oh my God,’ and I said that was for me.”