A Flying Pioneer: Bette Nash, the World’s Longest-Serving Flight Attendant of 70 Years

Bette Nash, a legendary flight attendant known for her 70 years of dedicated service with American Airlines, passed away at the age of 88. Born on December 31, 1935, Nash began her career as a flight attendant with Eastern Airlines in 1957 based out of the Washington, D.C., area.

Nash transitioned to American Airlines when the airline acquired Eastern’s routes in 1990 and continued to work for the airline until her passing in May 2024. She was recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s longest-serving flight attendant in January 2022 after surpassing the previous record. In an interview with CNN, she shared her lifelong dream of becoming a flight attendant after being inspired by a crew she saw during her first flight at just 16 years old.

American Airlines paid tribute to Nash on social media, recognizing her contributions to their history and inspiring generations of flight attendants who followed in her footsteps. The Association of Professional Flight Attendants also paid their respects online, acknowledging Nash as an integral part of American Airlines’ legacy.