Ronald Byrd Akana (born September 8, 1928) is an American former flight attendant, who spent 63 years working as cabin crew for United Airlines and who logged an estimated 200 million airmiles.[1] He was the world's longest serving flight attendant and was admitted to The Guinness Book of Records.[2][3][4]
Ronald Byrd Akana | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 8, 1928 Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, U.S. |
| Occupation | Former flight attendant |
| Years active | 1949–2012 |
| Employer | United Airlines |
| Known for | World's longest-serving flight attendant |
| Children | Jean Akana |
Career
editAkana applied due to a local newspaper ad in 1949 aged 21 with United Airlines for a steward position. His reason to apply as a flight steward was that "[…] it meant getting to the mainland, which was a huge deal in those days." At this time Akana was still a student at the University of Hawaii. After joining UA he started flying to the mainland on Boeing Stratocruiser.[5] His time working for UA was only interrupted by a two-year conscription, where he served in the Korean War.[6] In August 2012, after 63 years of service, Akana retired after a flight from Denver to Kauai. By this time he had accumulated 200 million airmiles.[5]
Personal life
editAkana was born on September 8, 1928, in Honolulu.[7][5] His wife was also a flight attendant, but had to quit after marriage.[5] Their daughter Jean also pursued a career as flight attendant.
References
edit- ^ "Longest career as a Flight attendant: Ron Akana sets world record". worldrecordacademy.com. August 29, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
- ^ "Flugbegleiter stellt mit 63 Berufsjahren Rekord auf". Die Welt (in German). August 29, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
- ^ Laura Frommberg (August 30, 2012). "63 Jahre über den Wolken". aerotelegraph.com (in German). Retrieved March 5, 2014.
- ^ "Flight Attendant Ron Akana enters Guinness Book of World Records for 63 Years of Flight Service". travelerstoday.com. August 29, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
- ^ a b c d Michelle Higgins (March 17, 2012). "63 Years Flying, From Glamour to Days of Gray". The New York Times. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
- ^ Jennifer Sinco Kelleher (August 28, 2012). "Ron Akana, 83-Year-Old Flight Attendant, Lands In Guinness Book Of World Records". Huffington Post. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
- ^ "Longest career as a flight attendant". Guinness World Records. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
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