"Fly high, Bette!": World's longest-serving flight attendant dies aged 88
Bette Nash, the world's longest-serving flight attendant has passed away aged 88, after a short battle with breast cancer.
American Airlines, where Nash devoted almost seven decades of her life, announced her death on social media on Saturday.
"We mourn the passing of Bette Nash, who spent nearly seven decades warmly caring for our customers in the air," they began their post.
“Bette was a legend at American and throughout the industry, inspiring generations of flight attendants.
“Fly high, Bette. We’ll miss you.”
A spokesperson for the airlines confirmed that she was still an active employee at the time of her death.
Nash, who was born on December 31, 1935, began her flight-attendant career with Eastern Airlines in 1957, at just 21-years-old.
In January 2022, she was officially recognised as the world’s longest-serving flight attendant by Guinness World Records, after surpassing the previous record a year earlier. She continued to hold the title until her passing.
Tributes have poured in from people all over the world on social media, with many praising her for her unwavering dedication and kindness.
"Fly high Bette! It was a pleasure being your passenger," wrote one person on X, alongside a selfie he took with her.
"She was flying as a passenger when she sat next to me, pinned her jacket to the bulkhead, gave me a three minute story of her life then said 'So what's your story?'. She was a dynamo. Rest easy," another added.
"She was an absolute delight in my earliest airline life working the USAir shuttle at LGA. Godspeed and eternal silvered wings Bette!" a third wrote.
"Rest in Peace Bette Nash," wrote a fourth.
"Bette was a class act. Truly a loss for the skies. She was truly an Angel," added another.
Image: CBS/ X