All comparisonsAirline Comparison

Emirates vs Singapore Airlines

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

FieldEmiratesSingapore Airlines
Base / hubDubai, UAESingapore
Minimum age21+ at the time of joining18+ at the time of application
EducationHigh school graduate (12 years of formal education) minimumMinimum 5 GCE 'O' Level credits (including English) or Higher Nitec and above
English requirementFluent spoken and written English; a second language is an advantageFluent English with good communication skills
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 training
MedicalFit-for-flying medical clearance, no visible scars or physical impairmentsFit-for-flying medical clearance
Height / reach notesArm reach 212 cm on tiptoes, minimum height 160 cm. At least 1 year of hospitality or customer service experience.Minimum height 158 cm (female) / 165 cm (male); arm reach 212 cm on tiptoes.
Basic salaryAED 4,980 basicSGD 1,500–1,800 basic
Flying payAED 69.6/flying hour, based on an average of 80–100 hours/monthSector pay and night-stop allowances on top of basic
Per diemTax-free per-diem on every layover, varies by destinationIncluded in flying-pay range above
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 take-home roughly SGD 3,200–3,700/month for new joiners
TaxUAE has no personal income tax — this is the full take-home.Singapore income tax applies — figures above are gross.
Hiring cadenceOpen days run in multiple cities almost every monthRecruitment runs via periodic walk-in interview events in Singapore, plus the SIA careers portal for overseas applicants
Hiring statusActively hiring — Emirates runs the most frequent recruitment cycle of any Gulf carrier.One of the most sought-after Asia-Pacific carriers — competitive intake, and the walk-in day itself is reported to have several elimination rounds rather than one.

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

Prep for either interview — start free