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Emirates vs Turkish Airlines

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

FieldEmiratesTurkish Airlines
Base / hubDubai, UAEIstanbul, Türkiye
Minimum age21+ at the time of joining20+ at the time of application
EducationHigh school graduate (12 years of formal education) minimumHigh school diploma minimum; university degree preferred in some recruitment rounds
English requirementFluent spoken and written English; a second language is an advantageEnglish proficiency 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 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.Height 160–180 cm (female), 170–190 cm (male); weight proportionate to height.
Basic salaryAED 4,980 basicEntry-level base reported near TRY 70,000 gross/month
Flying payAED 69.6/flying hour, based on an average of 80–100 hours/monthIncluded in the ranges above for experienced crew
Per diemTax-free per-diem on every layover, varies by destination
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-inExperienced crew reported at TRY 100,000–160,000 gross/month
TaxUAE has no personal income tax — this is the full take-home.Turkish income tax applies — figures above are gross.
Hiring cadenceOpen days run in multiple cities almost every monthRecruitment runs periodically via the Turkish Airlines careers portal
Hiring statusActively hiring — Emirates runs the most frequent recruitment cycle of any Gulf carrier.One of the largest recruiters among European-based carriers by network size, with a multi-stage assessment day that screens for visible marks early, before the interview stages.

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

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