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Etihad Airways vs Singapore Airlines

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

FieldEtihad AirwaysSingapore Airlines
Base / hubAbu Dhabi, UAESingapore
Minimum age21+ at the time of joining18+ at the time of application
EducationHigh school graduate minimumMinimum 5 GCE 'O' Level credits (including English) or Higher Nitec and above
English requirementFluent spoken and written EnglishFluent English with good communication skills
Tattoo policyNo visible tattoos when in uniform
Swim requirementMust pass a swim assessment during training
MedicalFit-for-flying medical clearance requiredFit-for-flying medical clearance
Height / reach notesReported arm reach ~212 cm on tiptoes; reported height minimum ~161 cm.Minimum height 158 cm (female) / 165 cm (male); arm reach 212 cm on tiptoes.
Basic salaryAED 4,300–4,800 basic (reported)SGD 1,500–1,800 basic
Flying payFlying-hour pay on top of basicSector pay and night-stop allowances on top of basic
Per diemTax-free per-diem on layoversIncluded in flying-pay range above
AccommodationFree shared accommodation in Abu Dhabi + airport transport
Total take-homeRoughly AED 9,500–12,000/month tax-free for junior cabin crew, all-in (reported)Reported total take-home roughly SGD 3,200–3,700/month for new joiners
TaxUAE has no personal income tax on this income.Singapore income tax applies — figures above are gross.
Hiring cadenceOpen days run periodically, generally fewer per year than Emirates or Qatar AirwaysRecruitment runs via periodic walk-in interview events in Singapore, plus the SIA careers portal for overseas applicants
Hiring statusEtihad recruits in smaller, less frequent batches than its larger Gulf neighbours.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.

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