Bette Nash, the world’s longest serving flight attendant, has died aged 88 after nearly 70 years of aviation service.
The news was announced by her employer, American Airlines, which mourned her death in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“She joined the airline in 1957 and holds the Guinness World Record for being the longest serving cabin attendant,” the airline said in a statement.
“Bette inspired generations of flight attendants. Fly high, Bette.”
At age 21, Nash began her career with Eastern Airlines (the precursor to American Airlines) as a flight attendant on a shuttle flight between Boston and Washington, DC, where she lived at the time, and she loved the route because it meant she could spend every night at home.
Although she intended to move on after a few years, she ended up staying and becoming a familiar face to frequent passengers on the line. She never officially left the job.
Other US media outlets reported that she had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and died in hospice care on May 17.
The union representing Nash, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, told CBS it was saddened by her death.
“Our hearts go out to her family and friends during this difficult time. Bette will always be an integral part of our story and will never be forgotten.”