World’s longest serving flight attendant Bette Nash has sadly died

The world's longest serving flight attendant who spent nearly seven decades jetting around the skies has sadly passed away at the age of 88.

American Airlines' most beloved cabin crew member Bette Nash died on 17 May.

The airline and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) both announced the tragic news in statements which paid tribute to the Guinness World Record holder's years of dedication to the job she loved.

In a post shared 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."

Bette Nash has passed away aged 88 (Dina Rudick/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

APFA shared its own tribute to Bette on Facebook, which applauded her for 'touching countless lives with her warmth, dedication and unparalleled service' since she began her carer on 4 November 1957.

It continued: "Her passion for flying and her commitment to her passengers were truly inspiring. Bette’s legacy will forever be remembered in the aviation community and by all who had the privilege of knowing her."

The long-standing flight attendant, from Virginia, landed a job with Eastern Airlines as a fresh-faced 21-year-old a whopping 67 years ago - at a time when tickets were hand written, schedules were shown on blackboards, and you could get yourself a seat on the plane for just $12.

Even when times changed and technology came to the forefront of travel, she refused to give up her role for retirement and realised that she had to 'evolve' as the airline did.

She was crowned the world's longest serving flight attendant by the Guinness World Records. (James M. Thresher/The The Washington Post via Getty Images)

"I wanted to be a flight attendant from the first moment I got on an airplane," Bette told CNN in 2016 as she approached 60 years on the job. "I was 16 years old and the flight attendant walked across the hall and I said, 'That's for me'."

In those days, you didn't need a reservation in advance to fly, while attendants like Bette would hand out cigarettes to passengers.

Even before she was awarded the Guinness World Record for longest-serving flight attendant, Bette was something of a celebrity in the skies due to her charm.

Speaking of what her role meant to her, she said: "It’s just been the perfect career path. It’s given my love of people an outlet, and I like to think I’ve given good service to others.

"I thoroughly enjoy my three-minute conversations onboard. And I’m often amazed at the interesting work, travels and lives people have."

Bette spent nearly seven decades working in the skies. (ERIC BARADAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Having flown for so many years, Bette had her pick of routes and notably favoured the New York-Boston-Washington DC journeys so that she could be back in time to say goodnight to her son, who is disabled.

Sticking to the same route also allowed her to run into passengers she had previously met.

"I love my people. I love being on the same flight all the time because I know my customers," she told CNN.

Throughout her time in the skies, Bette said a highlight was flying with former First Lady Jackie Kennedy, while in 2017 she was recognised by American's Chairman and CEO, Doug Parker, for her decades of service.

Bette never officially retired from her role with American Airlines and was pretty much part of the furniture, so she leaves a huge hole in the company and will certainly be missed be many.

Rest in peace, Bette.