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Emirates vs Qatar Airways

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

FieldEmiratesQatar Airways
Base / hubDubai, UAEDoha, Qatar
Minimum age21+ at the time of joining21+ at the time of joining
EducationHigh school graduate (12 years of formal education) minimumHigh school graduate minimum; a diploma or degree strengthens the application
English requirementFluent spoken and written English; a second language is an advantageFluent English; additional languages (especially Mandarin, Arabic, or European languages) are a strong plus
Tattoo policyNo visible tattoos when in uniform, including short sleevesNo visible tattoos in the female or male 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 and pass the water-safety training component
MedicalFit-for-flying medical clearance, no visible scars or physical impairmentsFit-for-flying medical clearance required before a final offer
Height / reach notesArm reach 212 cm on tiptoes, minimum height 160 cm. At least 1 year of hospitality or customer service experience.Arm reach of 212 cm on tiptoes is the operative test — Qatar Airways does not publish a fixed height minimum.
Basic salaryAED 4,980 basicQAR 4,000–4,500 basic
Flying payAED 69.6/flying hour, based on an average of 80–100 hours/monthFlying-hour pay on top of basic, scales with seniority
Per diemTax-free per-diem on every layover, varies by destinationTax-free per-diem on layovers
AccommodationFree shared accommodation in Dubai + transport to/from the airportFree shared accommodation in Doha + airport transport
Total take-homeAverage AED 11,244/month (USD 3,061) tax-free for Grade II cabin crew, all-inRoughly QAR 9,000–11,500/month tax-free for junior cabin crew, all-in
TaxUAE has no personal income tax — this is the full take-home.Qatar has no personal income tax on this income.
Hiring cadenceOpen days run in multiple cities almost every monthOpen days run periodically across major source markets, often several per quarter
Hiring statusActively hiring — Emirates runs the most frequent recruitment cycle of any Gulf carrier.Recruitment volume tracks Qatar Airways' fleet growth — check the calendar below for current dates.

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

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