Flying for Emirates
The Emirates cabin crew selection process is one of the most competitive in commercial aviation — the airline receives tens of thousands of applications each month for a relatively small number of positions. Emirates recruits globally, based the crew in Dubai, and operates a largely international team across over 150 destinations.
The lifestyle appeal is significant: tax-free salary, furnished accommodation or accommodation allowance provided by the airline, business class travel benefits on Emirates and partner airlines, and a Dubai base. The trade-off is a demanding schedule, multi-day layovers away from home, and high service and grooming standards enforced consistently.
This guide is written from first-hand experience of the Emirates selection process. The format described reflects what the process looks like as of 2026 — Emirates occasionally updates specific elements.
Emirates requirements
Before applying, confirm you meet every criterion below. Emirates does not make exceptions at assessment.
| Requirement | Emirates standard |
|---|---|
| Arm reach | Minimum 212 cm standing flat-footed |
| Age | Minimum 21 at the time of joining |
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Language | Fluent English (spoken and written); additional languages are a strong advantage |
| Tattoos / piercings | No visible tattoos in uniform; ear piercings for women (one per ear, discreet), no visible piercings for men |
| Passport | Valid passport with ability to obtain visas for all destinations |
| Medical | Fit to fly; comprehensive medical conducted post-offer |
| Swimming | Ability to swim |
| Appearance | Natural appearance; no cosmetic alterations that cannot be naturally concealed |
Emirates has no formal minimum height — the reach requirement (212 cm flat-footed) is the operative standard.
Online application
The Emirates careers portal (careers.emirates.com) is the only official application channel. There is no direct submission by email or social media.
What the online application requires:
- Passport details and photo
- Full CV (one or two pages)
- A professional headshot and a full-length photo (both mandatory — Emirates is explicit about this)
- Educational certificates
- Work experience details
Photo standards Emirates looks for:
- Full-length shot in business or formal attire — skirt/dress for women, suit or formal shirt/trousers for men
- Hair tied back, professional presentation
- Neutral background
- No casual or holiday photos
Applications with non-compliant photos are rejected at screening without review of qualifications.
Emirates processes applications in batches. Response times range from 1 week to 3 months depending on current hiring volume.
Open day and walk-in
Emirates periodically runs open days in cities around the world, advertised through their social channels and careers page. These are walk-in events where you bring your CV and photos and are assessed on the day — no prior online application required.
Open days typically fill within hours of announcement. Set up Emirates careers page notifications.
What to bring:
- Multiple printed copies of your CV
- Professional headshot (4×6 cm, white or light background)
- Full-length photo
- Passport (original and copies)
- Educational certificates (originals and copies)
- Reference letters if available
What happens at an open day:
- Registration and documentation check
- Briefing session about the role and Emirates
- Individual CV and photo review by recruiters
- If your profile passes: invitation to the group assessment immediately or to a formal Assessment Day
Assessment day exercises
The Emirates Assessment Day (sometimes called Final Selection Event) is a structured 4–6 hour session. Dress as you would for the role itself.
Stage 1: Reach test
The reach test is conducted first. You will be asked to stretch and reach a marked point on a wall or ceiling fixture. Emirates' standard is 212 cm flat-footed. This is non-negotiable and is measured precisely.
Footwear: If you wear heels (standard for women), you are measured in the heels you are wearing. Emirates does not adjust the standard.
Stage 2: Group discussion exercise
Groups of 8–12 candidates are given a scenario to discuss — typically a passenger-facing dilemma or service decision. No designated leader; candidates are expected to contribute naturally.
What assessors score:
- Natural confidence — do you speak up without dominating?
- Active listening — do you build on others' points?
- Language precision — is your English clear, articulate, professional?
- Composure — do you stay calm when interrupted or disagreed with?
The most common mistake: staying silent to "not say the wrong thing." Assessors eliminate candidates who do not contribute. Speak early, be brief, listen actively.
Stage 3: English and aptitude test
A written or tablet-based test covering English comprehension, grammar, and sometimes basic numeracy. Standard for Emirates: B2 CEFR English equivalent or above.
Stage 4: Individual CV interview (the 'one-on-one')
A brief 10–15 minute interview with a recruiter covering your CV, motivation for Emirates specifically, and 1–2 competency questions. This is not the final interview — it is a further screening stage.
Common questions at this stage:
- "Walk me through your CV."
- "Why Emirates specifically?"
- "Tell me about a difficult customer situation."
- "Where do you see yourself in three years?"
Dress and grooming are assessed as carefully as your answers.
Final interview
Candidates who pass the assessment day are invited to a Final Interview — a structured 30–60 minute competency interview, usually with two assessors from HR and line management.
This is the deepest stage of the process. Every answer is scored against a behavioural framework. You will be asked for multiple STAR examples across different competency themes.
Typical final interview competencies:
- Customer service excellence (2–3 questions)
- Teamwork and conflict management
- Working under pressure and adapting to change
- Cultural sensitivity and working with diverse teams
- Decision-making and safety awareness
- Motivation and personal development
Prepare 8–10 STAR stories that can flex across these themes. Your customer service stories should be specific, detailed, and show genuine empathy — not just "I solved the problem."
Grooming at final interview: Emirates assesses presentation as part of the final interview scoring. Hair tied up and styled, full professional makeup for women (Emirates provides a grooming guide to accepted candidates), clean and pressed attire, and closed-toe heels.
Offer and training in Dubai
A conditional offer is issued within 1–3 weeks of the final interview. This is followed by:
- Pre-employment screening: Criminal record check, reference verification, medical appointment
- Visa processing: Emirates handles UAE employment visa; you must hold a valid national passport
- Training join date: Usually 4–12 weeks post-offer
- Initial Training: 7–8 weeks in Dubai (Emirates Training College). Covers: emergency procedures, first aid, aircraft type familiarisation, service standards, grooming and presentation
- Line Check: First flight with an experienced crew member observing
Emirates training is rigorous. Written and practical exams throughout — failure to pass means the training contract is terminated. Take every exam seriously from day one.
After completing training and receiving your Cabin Crew Attestation, you are confirmed as an Emirates crew member and begin operating commercial flights.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Emirates cabin crew salary? Emirates does not publish salary figures officially, but current crew report: base salary of AED 3,500–4,500/month (approx. £750–£960), plus a flying hours allowance (typically AED 50–60/hour flown), a meal and layover per diem paid in local currency, and either furnished accommodation in Dubai or an accommodation allowance. Total effective take-home for junior crew is typically AED 12,000–16,000/month (approx. £2,600–£3,400), all tax-free.
Can I apply to Emirates from India? Yes. Emirates actively recruits from India and conducts regular open days in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai. Check the Emirates careers page for upcoming India events.
How long is the Emirates contract? The initial contract is typically 3 years, renewable. Emirates crew are employed by The Emirates Group on UAE employment law terms.
I have visible tattoos. Can I still apply? Not in their current location. Emirates requires all tattoos to be either not visible in uniform or fully concealable with makeup. If your tattoos are visible in short sleeves or on your hands, neck, or face, you will not pass the screening stage.
What happens if I fail the reach test? You are thanked and released from the session at that point. You may reapply to Emirates once the minimum application gap has passed (typically 6 months), but if your reach is genuinely below 212 cm flat-footed, other carriers with lower reach standards may be more suitable options.
Does Emirates accept applicants without customer service experience? Rarely at the selection stage. Emirates' competency framework is heavily weighted on customer service examples. Without at least one strong customer-facing role in your background, it is very difficult to give credible STAR answers. Build customer service experience first.