Ron Akana
Ron Akana | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 8, 1928 Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, U.S. |
| Died | July 29, 2025 (aged 96) |
| Occupation | Flight attendant |
| Years active | 1949–2012 |
| Employer | United Airlines |
| Known for | World's longest-serving flight attendant |
| Children | 1 |
Ronald Byrd Akana (September 8, 1928-July 29, 2025) was an American flight attendant who spent 63 years working as cabin crew for United Airlines (UA) 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]
Career
Akana, aged 21, applied to a local newspaper ad in 1949 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 that time he had accumulated 200 million airmiles.[5]
Personal life
Akana was born on September 8, 1928, in Honolulu.[7][5] His wife was also a flight attendant, but had to quit after marriage.[5] His daughter Kaleo also pursued a career as a flight attendant with United Airlines. Akana died on July 29, 2025 in Colorado, aged 96 years.
References
- ^ "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.
- ^ {{cite death_date = July 29, 2025 (aged 96) in Colorado. web |title=Longest career as a flight attendant url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/102807-longest-career-as-flight-attendant-ever |website=Guinness World Records |access-date=8 January 2022}}