Bette Nash Marked 60 Years In The Airline Industry Saturday

Bette Nash greets every face with a smile, it’s the first thing you notice about her — her warm hospitality. Then you notice that her uniform is presented perfectly pristine. Her scarf styled just so. It’s something on which she’s prided for six decades as an American Airlines flight attendant, according to a company profile. To be honest it’s what inspired her to become one.

She was in her late teens and took her first flight from Reagan National Airport to Dayton, Ohio, on a DC3 aircraft. She said she fell in love with “the spiffy appearances and gracious manners of the crew members.” A few short years later, Bette began her own aviation career at age 21 with Eastern Airlines, which would eventually become part of today’s American Airlines.

On Saturday, Nov. 4, she marked 60 years with the airline and industry, and her international notoriety as American’s longest serving, most senior flight attendant — stories about Bette have been featured in media channels around the world, including The Daily Mail and BBC Radio 4 in the United Kingdom, O Globo in Brazil and FOCUS Online in Germany.

Bette has seen the aviation industry change dramatically over the decades. She began flying when Dwight Eisenhower was President, flight tickets cost just $12 and tickets required no reservation. Bette fondly remembers this era as aviation’s golden age, when she flew with the Kennedys and served lobster and carved meats on platters to customers.

By far, the biggest change she has witnessed however is the impact that technology has had on the operation. “Gone are the days of hand-written tickets, stickers for seat assignments and chalk boards,” Bette said. Technological enhancements have led manual processes to be replaced with automation, which Bette feels has created positive changes for both crew members and customers.

One thing that hasn’t changed is Bette’s love of the job. She said that her career has allowed Bette to share her passion to serve, meet new people and to give kindness to others. “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 said. “I thoroughly enjoy my three-minute conversations onboard. And I’m often amazed at the interesting work, travels and lives people have.”

Today, Bette continues to work full-time and flies her regular route service between Reagan National and Boston Logan airports. Reflecting on 60 years of service, she says that she feels incredibly blessed for her good health and a career that has enabled her to live her dreams and take care of her special needs son. “As long as I have my health and I’m able, why not work. It’s still fun. Plus, I’ve at least made my Diamond Jubilee, just like Queen Elizabeth!”

(Source: American Airlines news release. Images provided)

FMI: www.aa.com