Washington, D.C.-based Bette Nash Is US Airways' Most Tenured Crew Member

It's a career that is definitely worth celebrating. US Airways flight attendant Bette Nash celebrates 55 years of dedicated service with the airline this month. Ms. Nash has the distinction of being the most tenured flight attendant at US Airways with a hire date of Nov. 4, 1957.

Nash, who is based in US Airways' Washington, D.C. focus city, began her aviation career with Eastern Airlines, flying on the carrier's Lockheed Constellation 1049 aircraft. In 1961, she began flying for the Eastern Air Shuttle, which provided flights every two hours between New York's LaGuardia, Washington National and Boston Logan airports. Over the years, the Eastern Air Shuttle became the Trump Shuttle, the USAir Shuttle and today's US Airways Shuttle, where Bette continues the proud tradition of these airlines, flying between her home base at Washington, D.C.'s Reagan National Airport, Boston and New York's LaGuardia Airport.

"Bette's dedication to providing excellent customer service helps make US Airways a better airline," said Hector Adler, US Airways' vice president, inflight services. "Bette has witnessed many changes in the airline industry in her 55-year career, but one thing hasn't changed and that is her continued commitment to customer service and the admiration for her among her colleagues. We are extremely honored to recognize her lifetime of commitment to our company and our customers."

Nash is one of three US Airways flight attendants with more than 50 years of service. In June 2011 Carolyn Baker celebrated 50 years with the airline. Sali Burgard marked her 50th anniversary this month with US Airways. Baker and Burgard are based in the airline's Charlotte, N.C. hub and began their careers with Mohawk and Allegheny Airlines, respectively. Both carriers became part of today's US Airways and the airline is proud to continue their legacies.

US Airways plans to hire approximately 450 flight attendants this fall and winter, with the first group of new crew members taking to the skies in early 2013. The new positions will fill those left by flight attendants who are retiring and those created by the airline replacing Boeing 737 aircraft with larger Airbus A321 aircraft and bringing on new Airbus A330 widebody aircraft, which will replace Boeing 767 planes.

(Pictured Top: US Airways Flight Attendants Carolyn Baker and Bette Nash receive their golden wings with pride for 50 years of service with the airline. Bottom: US Airways Flight Attendant Sali Burgard.)

FMI: www.usairways.com/careers