World's longest-serving flight attendant dies at 88

By Hoang Vu May 26, 2024 | 11:39 pm PT

American Airlines' longest serving flight attendant, Bette Nash, 81, greets passengers disembarking from her daily return flight to Boston at Ronald Reagan Washington Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on Dec. 19, 2017. Photo by AFP

Bette Nash, who held the Guinness World Record for being the longest-serving flight attendant, has died of breast cancer at the age of 88.

"We mourn the passing of Bette Nash, who spent nearly seven decades warmly caring for our customers in the air," American Airlines, for whom she used to work, wrote in a statement on X on Sunday.

"She started in 1957 and held the Guinness World Record for longest-serving flight attendant. Bette inspired generations of flight attendants. Fly high, Bette."

She served until this year for nearly 67 years.

She initially worked as a flight attendant for Eastern Airlines, which later became American Airlines.

Passengers who flew with her also mourned on social media.

"Fly high Bette! It was a pleasure being your passenger," Jon Kruse wrote on X.

Another wrote: "We will miss you deeply! It was a pleasure flying with you, Bette. Rest in peace."