Bette Nash, World's Longest-Serving Flight Attendant, Dead at 88: 'Fly High'
Nash held the Guinness World Record for longest-serving flight attendant, according to American Airlines
Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post via Getty
Bette Nash.Bette Nash, the world's longest-serving flight attendant, has died. She was 88.
Nash's death was confirmed in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, by American Airlines.
"We mourn the passing of Bette Nash, who spent nearly seven decades warmly caring for our customers in the air," the company wrote.
"She started in 1957 and held the Guinness World Record for longest-serving flight attendant," American Airlines continued. "Bette inspired generations of flight attendants. Fly high, Bette."
Nash died in hospice after a recent breast cancer diagnosis, ABC News and Business Insider reported. She never officially retired from her role with American Airlines despite her health, the outlets said.
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Nash began her career with Eastern Airlines, which later became American Airlines, in Washington, D.C., in 1957, per ABC News.
"You had to be a certain height, you had to be a certain weight. It used to be horrible," she previously told WJLA about the start of her career.
"You put on a few pounds, and you had to keep weighing yourself. And then, if you stayed that way, they would take you off the payroll," Nash continued.
She typically worked along the East Coast so she could be home every night to care for her son, who has Down syndrome, WJLA reported.
Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post via Getty
Bette Nash.The Association of Professional Flight Attendants also remembered Nash with a statement on X.
Noting that she "touched many with her warmth, dedication, and service," the organization added, "RIP, Bette. You won’t be forgotten."
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