The world’s longest-serving flight attendant has died from cancer at the age of 88, reports Business Insider.
In a statement on X, American Airlines said: “We mourn the passing of Bette Nash, who spent nearly seven decades warmly caring for our customers in the air.”
“She started in 1957 and held the Guinness World Record for longest-serving flight attendant. Bette inspired generations of flight attendants. Fly high, Bette,” the post continues.
It was also reported that Nash never officially retired from her role with American Airlines.
She passed away in hospice after a recent breast cancer diagnosis, according to reports.
Nash landed her first job as a flight attendant with Eastern Airlines – which later became American Airlines – in 1957, when Dwight D. Eisenhower was still in the White House.
“You had to be a certain height, you had to be a certain weight. It used to be horrible. 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 had previously told ABC affiliate WJLA, speaking about the early days of her career.
She told ABC News in 2022, that a ticket for a flight between New York and Washington DC cost just USD12 at the time, and noted that passengers could even purchase life insurance from a vending machine before boarding their plane.
In another statement on X, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants said Nash “touched many with her warmth, dedication, and service.”