86-Year-Old Flight Attendant Breaks Record For World's Longest In Service

Jul 07, 2022 by apost team

Most people work to live. But one woman has lived to work for over 60 years. Bette Nash began working as a flight attendant for Eastern Airlines, which is known as American Airlines these days. She has seen systems in her industry go from chalkboards to computers, and she now is in the Guinness World Records for her long and outstanding flight attendant career. 

Bette started her sky-high career back in 1957 when she was just 21 years old. During the beginning of her career, airfare tickets were around $12, and fliers didn't need to make a flight reservation months in advance. The flight attendant also used to hand out Marlboro cigarettes and lobster on flights. Over her many years of working up in the sky, Nash has made quite the impression on passengers over the years. Many passengers have come forward and said that their best flights are flights where Nash is working. Serving up in the sky for decades, Nash has become a celebrity in her own right. 

While reflecting on her long and very successful career, Nash said that being a flight attendant was always her dream. She said the job has fulfilled her love of connecting with people and seeing the world. The iconic flight attendant can even still carry a passenger to the middle of the aisle to perform CPR, which is a mandatory requirement every year. 

Even years, decades even of being in her career industry, Nash said that being a flight attendant has been the perfect path for her. 

In an exclusive interview with CNN, Nash said: 

"I was 16 years old, and the flight attendant walked across the hall, and I said, "That's for me."' 

Nash added that she couldn't have picked a better career path. "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," she gushed. 

After her many years of being a superstar in the sky, frequent fliers have given her rave reviews. In 2017 one passenger told The Daily Mail, "I think what is most amazing and impressive about Bette is the way she warms up the entire aircraft. You walk on, you meet her, she knows your name, she remembers the conversation that she was having with you yesterday or last week or a month ago." 

Nash said that she appreciates her customers and looks forward to seeing her frequent fliers often too. "I love my people. I love being on the same flight all the time because I know my customers," she said. Nash also added that she enjoys impacting people's travels in a positive manner. 

"I thoroughly enjoy my three-minute conversations onboard. And I'm often amazed at the interesting work, travels and lives people have. As long as I have my health and I'm able, why not work. It's still fun," Nash said. 

Nash admitted that even when she thought about retiring, she couldn't leave her happy place. "Even when I think I might retire, I come to work, and I think, "I can't do that," 'she said.

apost.com

Can you believe Bette has worked as a flight attendant for over 60 years?! That deserves a standing ovation! If you are impressed by Bette and her impressive career— pass this article on to someone else who will be too!