Unfortunately there’s a sad development when it comes to one of American Airlines’ most well-known employees…
In this post:
88-year-old flight attendant passes away
I’ve written in the past about Bette Nash, who was American’s longest serving flight attendant. The 88-year-old started her career as a flight attendant in 1957, meaning she had been flying for 67 years. She was even recognized by Guinness World Records for being the world’s longest serving flight attendant.
Unfortunately there’s now a sad update. Several months ago I had heard that Bette had stopped flying, and was diagnosed with breast cancer. Unfortunately she has now lost that battle, and American has confirmed her passing.
My thoughts are with Bette’s family. She really seemed to be a great, positive person, and was loved by passengers. There were many stories about her over the years, and she was always inspiring in terms of the attitude she had toward her job. As she always said, everyone just wants a little attention, and she tried to give it to them.
While most senior flight attendants prefer to work long haul flights, Bette spent most of her career just flying up and down the East Coast, so that she could be home with her family most nights.
Other notable long-serving airline employees
While Bette was American’s longest serving flight attendant, she wasn’t the company’s longest serving employee. At least in 2022, American’s most senior employee was a 96-year-old mechanic, Azriel “Al” Blackman, who had worked at the airline for 80 years. The airline even named a plane after him.
For that matter, while Bette was the most senior flight attendant in the world in terms of the number of years she flew, she wasn’t the oldest. In 2016, 90-year-old Delta flight attendant Bob Reardon was forced to retire, after 63 years at the airline. Unfortunately it sounds like he didn’t leave on good terms with the airline.
Bottom line
American Airlines’ most senior flight attendant has just passed away. She was flying up until recently, but unfortunately lost the battle to cancer. It’s remarkable to think that she worked as a flight attendant for 67 years. My thoughts are with Bette’s family. What a loss.
Sorry but I'm disgusted by some of those executives to even pronounce his name. They have zero appreciation for labor. Smdh.
RIP BETTE SISTER OF THE SKY. 18 YEARS AND COUNTING, WHAT AN INSPIRATION. MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY.
As sad as it is, and admirable that she flew for so long its well known she was horrifically racist and homophobic. Spoke down to non white crew, didn't like working with them and referred to them as "coloured". So I have absolutely no respect for this woman what so ever.
Easy on the far left koolaid. Your sentiment here is why conservatives and Republicans exist.
Somebody lost their life. That’s a disproportionate comeuppance to mistreating others in, frankly, a manner that is very common. AA crews often do not get along, for all sorts of reasons. Racism and homophobia are extremely common, some people hide it better, does that make them better?
If this late flight attendant had committed murder a la OJ, by all...
Easy on the far left koolaid. Your sentiment here is why conservatives and Republicans exist.
Somebody lost their life. That’s a disproportionate comeuppance to mistreating others in, frankly, a manner that is very common. AA crews often do not get along, for all sorts of reasons. Racism and homophobia are extremely common, some people hide it better, does that make them better?
If this late flight attendant had committed murder a la OJ, by all means, say what you did. Racism and homophobia are ideologies and not crimes. Being rude to your colleagues happens everywhere and isn’t a crime either, the “hostile work environment” is only a civil wrong and involves much more than rudeness. Calling someone colored will cross the line, but have you forgotten US history? That was standard nomenclature back in the day.
I stand by what I said. The only tragedy here is that her disabled son is now without a mother.
Didn't your mother ever teach you never to talk ill of the dead because they can't defend themselves? (BTW: I assume, but cannot know for certain you actually have a mother)
You must be feeling soooooo 'tough' now that the old woman is dead.
God bless Miss Nash❤️May she fly with the Angels.
Ben wrote:
‘In 2016, 90-year-old Delta flight attendants Bob Reardon was forced to retire, after 63 years at the airline.’
Hi Ben. Did he not retire in 2014?
Regardless, thanks for this post. May she continue to fly high. There are so many elderly flight attendants who are still so wonderful and professional at their jobs. I remember an elderly flight attendant in business class on Delta who was so kind and helpful to all of the passengers in the cabin.
I've flown many millions of miles on AA, but I never had the opportunity and joy of traveling with Bette. Thanking Bette for her service, admiring her longevity and, most importantly, the warmth of spirit she is said to have shared with her passengers, colleagues, and likely anyone that knew her. Fly high in your rest.
Wow, the stories she could tell. It's so cool that she got to see so many aspects of passenger flight from DC3s on up to today's jets
I once flew on a plane which she was covering in first class. She was amazing. I gave her one of my award certificates and she made sure I detailed why I gave it to her. So sad to hear of her passing
Legend!!
Ben, when will you introduce functionality to allow readers to block or mute commenters who suck or make us sick?
Just asking, nobody special in mind.
God love Bette for her many years of service. I now believe that Delta holds the record for the longest serving and STILL ACTIVE F/A. That is Joan Prince Crandall, based in SEA. She hired on in 1959 at Pacific Airlines (SFO) which merged into Air West which merged into Hughes AirWest which merged into Republic which merged into Northwest (Orient) which merged into Delta ! Yikes ! She will celebrate 65 years later this...
God love Bette for her many years of service. I now believe that Delta holds the record for the longest serving and STILL ACTIVE F/A. That is Joan Prince Crandall, based in SEA. She hired on in 1959 at Pacific Airlines (SFO) which merged into Air West which merged into Hughes AirWest which merged into Republic which merged into Northwest (Orient) which merged into Delta ! Yikes ! She will celebrate 65 years later this year. Though she still needs another 2 years to beat our Bette for total years served. Joan is a fabulous person and has made significant contributions over the years to the F/A labor unions. Language she has written appears in almost every labor contract in the industry. F/A's everywhere owe her a huge amount of respect and gratitude.
Rest well.
I just hope she worked that long because she WANTED to, not because she NEEDED to.
Bless her soul.
Truly a representation of society loss. I think towards the end she was flying mostly the former Shuttle routes so she could be at home with a special needs son.
RIP Bette. You are a legend and an inspiration.
Since FAs are there primarily for our (passenger) safety, it means they have to be able to perform the annual emergency training and checks. It is far from a given at that age. There are FAs far younger than Bette or Bob that cannot pass their annual training and checks.
Good for Bette knowing when to step away for the benefit of her health after a sterling career.
Congress wisely chose not to extend pilot careers past 65.
Really?? As you know, we have recurrent every year.
That was an unnecessary comment.
Tim sometimes it’s better to under articulate rather than over! a simple RIP type comment is far more appropriate in this instance.
That would be a refreshing change. But expecting Tim Dunn to be articulate and succinct is like expecting a dog not to poop and have fleas. - c'est impossible! -
The question is, would the OMAAT audience actually appreciate Tim Dunn if he actually wrote a simple RIP comment. I guess not.
Besides whether is this Tim Dunn's comment appropriate or not, if he actually did, they'll probably reply him with some comments like "you're actually thinking that she died because she wasn't the employee of the world's best airline Delta" or some sh*t.
Totally agree. Very sad someone has passed away, but totally agree with your comments.
Wow! I guess your grandmother cannot expect a nice eulogy from you. What a sad person you are.
I'm keeping my eye on this thread for a comment from @TimDunn'sGrandmother.......
My grandparents or parents didn’t do paid work at 85 or beyond. Again, good for those that can pass the annuals. Bette did as noted. Not all could or can.
As usual, some people can’t accept basic truths.
Are you really comparing FA and Pilots. Same airplane not same skill set.
Very sad news indeed. I'm glad that AA paid tribute to her and I hope the FA Union does as well. Current FA's could learn a few things from her, her career, and her constant thinking about the customers wellbeing and safety.