Joan Prince Crandall: The Longest-Serving Flight Attendant Retires After 66 Years
After more than 66 years in the air, the industry’s longest-serving flight attendant prepares to retire

Image: Cnn
Joan Prince Crandall, believed to be the longest-serving flight attendant in the industry, is set to retire after 66 years with Delta Air Lines. She began her career in 1959 and has witnessed significant changes in aviation, from fashion to safety protocols, while advocating for women's rights in the workplace.
- 01Joan Prince Crandall started her career in 1959 with Pacific Airlines, flying propeller planes.
- 02She has worked through numerous airline mergers, including Delta Air Lines since 2008.
- 03The 1964 Civil Rights Act significantly impacted her profession, allowing flight attendants to marry and have children without fear of losing their jobs.
- 04Crandall has seen the transition from propeller aircraft to modern jets, which can carry nearly eight times more passengers.
- 05She plans to write a book and continue traveling after her retirement.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Joan Prince Crandall, recognized as the longest-serving flight attendant in the industry, is preparing to retire after an impressive 66-year career with Delta Air Lines. Starting in 1959 with Pacific Airlines, she experienced the evolution of the profession from the glamorous days of stewardesses in fashionable uniforms to the critical safety roles flight attendants play today. Crandall recalls her early experiences flying propeller planes and the significant shift to jet aircraft, which transformed air travel. Throughout her career, she navigated the challenges of a male-dominated industry and witnessed pivotal changes, including the impact of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which allowed women to work without the fear of losing their jobs due to marriage or motherhood. As she prepares to pass the torch to the next generation of flight attendants, including Alise Broussard, Crandall reflects on her journey with fondness and excitement. Post-retirement, she intends to travel the world and write a book about her experiences, cherishing the connections she has made with passengers and colleagues alike.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
What do you think is the most important quality for a flight attendant?
Connecting to poll...
More about Delta Air Lines

Andrew Jassy, PDG d'Amazon, cède des actions pour 5,27 millions de dollars
Investing French • May 27, 2026

Nuevo servicio de $9 en aeropuerto de Boston permite pasar seguridad antes de llegar
El Comercio Perú • May 26, 2026

Delta Air Lines lança nova rota direta entre Porto e Nova Iorque-JFK
Jornal Economico • May 25, 2026
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.


