How to become a cabin crew member at Emirates: Requirements, tests and benefits

What do you need to work for Emirates?

Becoming a Cabin Crew Member at Emirates means joining one of the world’s most prestigious airlines and embarking on an international career full of opportunities. However, the recruitment process is highly selective and designed to identify candidates who best align with the company’s core values of excellence, hospitality, and safety. In this article, we outline the key requirements and skills you need to start your journey as a flight attendant with Emirates.

General Requirements to Become a Cabin Crew Member at Emirates

To work as a Cabin Crew Member at Emirates, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Be at least 21 years old at the time of application.
  • Have a minimum height of 160 cm and be able to reach 212 cm with your arm extended.
  • Have completed secondary education.
  • Have no visible tattoos while wearing the uniform.
  • Be in good physical health.
  • Meet the visa requirements for the United Arab Emirates.
  • Demonstrate a positive attitude, strong interpersonal skills, and a passion for customer service.

 

In addition to these basic requirements, Emirates values previous experience in customer service or hospitality, as well as a proactive and solution-oriented mindset.

Language Skills and Key Competencies for Emirates Cabin Crew

One of the most important requirements to be selected as a Cabin Crew Member at Emirates is fluency in English. All interviews, assessments, and training sessions are conducted in English, so an advanced level, both spoken and written, is essential.

Additional language skills are highly valued, as Emirates operates in over 140 international destinations. The airline also looks for candidates with strong interpersonal skills, teamwork abilities, empathy, and conflict resolution capabilities—core competencies for delivering exceptional service on board.

Physical Appearance and Professional Presentation

Personal image is a key factor in Emirates’ recruitment process. The airline requires impeccable presentation, which includes:

  • Formal or business-style attire during interviews
  • Well-groomed hair (women are encouraged to wear it neatly tied back)
  • Subtle makeup
  • No visible tattoos or use of makeup to conceal them

 

From the initial Open Day to the final interview stages, Emirates carefully evaluates each candidate’s appearance, body language, and professional attitude. These elements reflect the candidate’s commitment to the brand and the high standards of service expected on board.

Emirates Cabin Crew Recruitment Process

 

The selection process to become a Cabin Crew Member at Emirates is rigorous and carefully structured to identify candidates who best embody the airline’s core values: professionalism, empathy, cultural awareness, and service excellence. The process includes several stages, each with specific assessments designed to evaluate both technical skills and personal competencies.

Emirates Open Days and Assessment Events

Emirates hosts two types of recruitment events for aspiring Cabin Crew Members:

  • Open Days: Walk-in events open to all candidates without prior registration. These are held in various cities around the world, including several in Spain.
  • Assessment Days: Invitation-only events for candidates who pass the initial online screening. These sessions involve more specific evaluations with a smaller group of applicants.

 

Both events mark the beginning of Emirates’ Cabin Crew selection process. It’s essential to attend with a professional appearance, punctuality, and all required documentation: an English CV, formal photographs, academic certificates, and a valid passport. From the very first interaction, Emirates assesses candidates’ attitude, presentation, and overall professionalism.

English Test

The English test is a crucial part of the Emirates recruitment process. Candidates must complete an online multiple-choice exam with 30 questions focused on filling in sentences using aviation-related vocabulary. The test evaluates:

  • Context comprehension
  • Appropriate vocabulary usage
  • Fluency and response speed

 

Since the entire Emirates Cabin Crew selection process is conducted in English, candidates must have a minimum proficiency level equivalent to B2 or higher.

Pair Exercises and Group Dynamics

 

During the Emirates Assessment Day, candidates take part in group dynamics and pair exercises that simulate real onboard scenarios. These activities are designed to evaluate:

  • Teamwork skills
  • Empathy and active listening
  • Conflict resolution abilities
  • Verbal and non-verbal communication

 

There are no right or wrong answers, but collaborative attitude, respect for others, and the ability to lead without dominating are highly valued. These exercises are a key part of the Emirates Cabin Crew interview process, offering insight into how candidates behave in realistic situations.

Final Interview and the Golden Call

The final stage of the Emirates selection process is the personal interview, conducted entirely in English. This interview aims to explore the candidate’s motivations, experience, strengths, and areas for improvement. Emirates values authenticity, emotional maturity, and the ability to adapt to multicultural environments.

Candidates who successfully complete all stages receive the long-awaited call from Dubai, known as the Golden Call, confirming their selection to join the Emirates Cabin Crew team. This call marks the end of the Emirates interview process and the beginning of a new professional chapter.

Flight Attendant Training at Emirates

 

After successfully completing the selection process, candidates begin one of the most exciting and demanding stages: flight attendant training at Emirates. This phase is essential for acquiring the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to perform the Cabin Crew role with the highest standards of safety and service excellence.

Initial Training Course

 Flight attendant training at Emirates takes place at the Emirates Training Center in Dubai and lasts approximately seven weeks. During this time, future Cabin Crew Members receive intensive instruction in key areas such as:
  • Onboard safety: emergency procedures, evacuation protocols, and use of equipment like fire extinguishers, slides, and oxygen masks
  • First aid: basic medical care, CPR, and handling common onboard medical situations
  • Customer service: service protocols, conflict resolution, hospitality, and quality standards
  • Aviation regulations: international laws, passenger rights, and operational procedures

 

Emirates flight attendant training also includes hands-on practice in cabin simulators, pool training for water evacuations, and role-play sessions to simulate real onboard scenarios. All training is conducted in English, and candidates are expected to demonstrate punctuality, discipline, and full commitment.

Contract and Onboarding Period

After successfully completing the course, new Cabin Crew Members (CCMs) sign an initial three-year contract, with the possibility of renewal. Emirates provides free accommodation, transportation, uniform, medical insurance, and other benefits from day one. During the onboarding period, crew members receive full support to settle into life in Dubai and apply the skills acquired during Emirates flight attendant training.

This phase also helps reinforce theoretical knowledge, build confidence during initial flights, and adapt to the fast-paced international work environment. The airline closely monitors each CCM’s performance to ensure that safety and service standards are upheld from the very beginning.

Salary and Benefits of Working as Cabin Crew at Emirates

Working as a Cabin Crew Member at Emirates is not only a prestigious career opportunity but also a life-changing experience. The airline offers a highly competitive salary and benefits package, positioning it among the most attractive employers in the aviation industry.

Base Salary and Additional Compensation

 

The salary of an Emirates flight attendant is made up of several components:

  • Base Salary: Approximately AED 4,430 per month (around €1,100), tax-free.
  • Flight Hours Pay: Around AED 63 per hour, with an average of 80 to 100 flying hours per month, bringing the total monthly salary to over AED 10,000.
  • Additional Allowances: These include per diem for international layovers and performance-based bonuses.

 

Emirates has also awarded exceptional bonuses in the past, such as five months’ extra salary following record-breaking profits.

Accommodation and Transportation Benefits

One of the major advantages of working at Emirates is the comprehensive accommodation and transport package:

  • Free housing in Dubai, in shared apartments with other Cabin Crew Members. Residences are fully furnished and located in safe, well-connected areas.
  • Daily transportation to and from the airport, included in the contract.
  • Uniforms, laundry services, and maintenance are also covered by the airline.

 

This system allows employees to focus on their duties without worrying about basic living expenses.

Employee Travel Discounts and Perks

 

Emirates offers exclusive travel benefits for employees, their families, and friends:

  • Discounted airfares to all Emirates destinations.
  • Class upgrades through internal programs like Skywards and Business Rewards.
  • Special discounts on hotels, retail stores, and leisure activities in Dubai and other cities.

 

Additionally, employees can earn miles and points that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other rewards.

Conclusion: How to Prepare for Your Career at Emirates with GTA

If your goal is to become a Cabin Crew Member at Emirates, specialized training can make all the difference. At Global Training Aviation (GTA), you can earn your official Cabin Crew certification in just four weeks through an intensive program that combines theory, hands-on simulations, and interview preparation.

This training equips you with the tools and confidence needed to successfully navigate every stage of the recruitment process—from Open Days to the Golden Call.

GTA’s international approach and team of instructors with experience in top-tier airlines will help you develop the key skills Emirates looks for: fluency in English, customer service excellence, onboard safety, and professional presentation.

If you’re ready to take off toward a global career, GTA is your first step to achieving your goal.

Frequently asked questions about working at Emirates

What is the starting salary for Emirates employees?

The salary of an Emirates flight attendant starts with a tax-free base salary of approximately AED 4,430 per month (around €1,100). Added to this are payments for flight hours (around AED 63 per hour), international allowances, and bonuses. In total, a Cabin Crew Member can earn between AED 9,000 and AED 11,000 per month, depending on the number of flights and assigned destinations.

In addition to the base salary, Emirates offers a very competitive benefits package. Cabin Crew Members receive free accommodation, daily transportation to the airport, international medical insurance, and discounted flights for themselves and their families. These benefits of working at Emirates make the total package very attractive, especially for those starting their careers in aviation.

Yes, the Emirates selection process for Cabin Crew is demanding and competitive. It includes several stages: Open Days, group dynamics, English tests, personal interviews, and the long-awaited Golden Call. Emirates looks for candidates with excellent English skills, interpersonal abilities, good appearance, and a strong service mindset. While it’s not impossible, it does require preparation, a positive attitude, and standing out among thousands of applicants from around the world.

The Airbus A320 is one of the most widely used aircraft by airlines around the world, making it an excellent option for trainee pilots. Airlines such as Lufthansa, Iberia, easyJet, Air France, Vueling, Avianca, Volaris, LATAM, and many others operate fleets largely composed of A320 aircraft. This significantly increases job opportunities for those who hold the corresponding type rating.

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