Etihad Airways Cabin Crew Requirements, Salary & Hiring
Everything you need to know before you apply to Etihad Airways— requirements, real pay, the hiring process, and whether they're recruiting right now.
Reviewed August 2026 · confirm exact figures on Etihad Airways' careers page before applying.
Is Etihad Airways hiring right now?
Etihad recruits in smaller, less frequent batches than its larger Gulf neighbours.
Track Etihad Airways hiring newsEtihad Airways cabin crew requirements
- Age
- 21+ at the time of joining
- Education
- High school graduate minimum
- English
- Fluent spoken and written English
- Tattoos
- No visible tattoos when in uniform
- Swimming
- Must pass a swim assessment during training
- Medical
- Fit-for-flying medical clearance required
Reported arm reach ~212 cm on tiptoes; reported height minimum ~161 cm. Check your own eligibility →
Etihad Airways cabin crew salary
- Basic pay
- AED 4,300–4,800 basic (reported)
- Flying pay
- Flying-hour pay on top of basic
- Per-diem
- Tax-free per-diem on layovers
- Accommodation
- Free shared accommodation in Abu Dhabi + airport transport
Total: Roughly AED 9,500–12,000/month tax-free for junior cabin crew, all-in (reported). UAE has no personal income tax on this income.
Etihad Airways hiring process
- 1Online application + CV screening
- 2Open day or video interview (grooming + English check)
- 3Group exercise
- 4Final interview with a recruiter
- 5Online assessment
- 6Medical exam, then a training offer
Open days run periodically, generally fewer per year than Emirates or Qatar Airways.
From the crew
Etihad's process feels noticeably calmer than Emirates' large-scale open days — smaller groups, more one-on-one attention from the recruiter, which actually makes it easier to stand out if you prepare well. What catches candidates off guard is that because Etihad hires less frequently, competition per seat can be just as tight as the bigger carriers even though the room is smaller. Abu Dhabi's cost of living and quieter lifestyle compared to Dubai is worth researching before you commit — it changes the day-to-day experience of the job more than people expect.
Etihad Airways cabin crew FAQs
Is Etihad Airways easier to get into than Emirates or Qatar?
Not necessarily easier, but the applicant pool per open day is often smaller since Etihad's fleet and hiring cadence are smaller — the bar on presentation and English is the same.
Does Etihad Airways offer visa sponsorship?
Yes — like other Gulf carriers, Etihad sponsors the UAE work visa as part of the employment offer once you're selected.