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Emirates vs Cathay Pacific

Cabin crew requirements, salary, and hiring process — Emirates and Cathay Pacific compared side by side, so you know exactly which one fits before you apply.

FieldEmiratesCathay Pacific
Base / hubDubai, UAEHong Kong
Minimum age21+ at the time of joining18+ at the time of application
EducationHigh school graduate (12 years of formal education) minimumHigh school diploma or equivalent
English requirementFluent spoken and written English; a second language is an advantageFluent English required; at least one Asian language is also required
Tattoo policyNo visible tattoos when in uniform, including short sleeves
Swim requirementMust be able to swim unaided for 25 metres and pass a swim test in trainingMust be able to swim 50 metres
MedicalFit-for-flying medical clearance, no visible scars or physical impairmentsFit-for-flying medical clearance, including sight and hearing tests
Height / reach notesArm reach 212 cm on tiptoes, minimum height 160 cm. At least 1 year of hospitality or customer service experience.No published height minimum — a 208 cm arm-reach test on tiptoes (barefoot) is the operative test.
Basic salaryAED 4,980 basicHK$9,000–10,000 basic
Flying payAED 69.6/flying hour, based on an average of 80–100 hours/monthReported HK$65–75 per block hour
Per diemTax-free per-diem on every layover, varies by destinationIncluded in total range below for international layovers
AccommodationFree shared accommodation in Dubai + transport to/from the airport
Total take-homeAverage AED 11,244/month (USD 3,061) tax-free for Grade II cabin crew, all-inReported total roughly HK$17,000–24,000/month for junior crew
TaxUAE has no personal income tax — this is the full take-home.Hong Kong income tax applies — figures above are gross.
Hiring cadenceOpen days run in multiple cities almost every monthRecruitment runs via the Cathay Pacific careers portal, including overseas intakes
Hiring statusActively hiring — Emirates runs the most frequent recruitment cycle of any Gulf carrier.Hires both Hong Kong-based and overseas-applicant cabin crew separately, with a distinct multi-stage online screening before any in-person assessment day.

Figures reviewed August 2026 · confirm exact numbers on each airline’s careers page before applying.

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