Middle EastCabin Crew Jobs

MECabinCrewJobs  /  United Arab Emirates

Emirates cabin crew requirements 2026

The largest international recruiter of cabin crew in the world. Runs open days almost every week across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas and Oceania — no invitation needed for most of them.

Apply on emiratesgroupcareers.com Check if I am eligible

The requirements in full

Every line below is marked Official when Emirates publishes it on its own careers site, and Reported when it is the figure applied in practice but not published anywhere. Nobody else in this niche tells you the difference.

Minimum age
21+ yearsOfficial
No carrier publishes a maximum age, and none can reject you on a number. It is still weighed at selection — that part is unwritten.
Minimum height
160 cm (5'3")Official
Arm reach
212 cm (6'11")Official
Measured standing on tiptoes, fingertips flat against the wall.
Education
High school (Grade 12)Official
English
Fluent written and spokenOfficial
Additional languages are an advantage.
Experience
1 year in hospitality or customer serviceOfficial
Tattoos
No visible tattoos in uniformOfficial
Covered by uniform or make-up is not accepted as 'not visible'.
Swimming
Not publishedReported
Not listed as a hiring requirement, but water training is part of the course.
Nationality
Open to all nationalitiesReported
Emirates recruits worldwide; visa eligibility is the real filter.
Visa
Must meet UAE employment visa requirementsOfficial
Pay
Not published by the airlineReported
Basic + flying hours + layover allowance, paid tax-free in AED. Emirates does not publish figures — treat any number you see online as an estimate.

Pay and what comes with the job

Not published by the airline. Basic + flying hours + layover allowance, paid tax-free in AED. Emirates does not publish figures — treat any number you see online as an estimate.

  • Free furnished shared accommodation in Dubai
  • Transport to and from the airport
  • Medical and dental cover
  • Concessional and annual leave tickets
  • 30 days annual leave

How Emirates selection actually runs

Knowing the order of the day is half the preparation. This is the sequence from application to first flight.

Apply online or walk into an open dayOpen days are advertised on the Emirates careers site and are usually open to anyone who shows up with a CV and photos.
CV drop and first cutA short face-to-face screening. Most candidates are cut here.
Assessment dayGroup exercises, reach test, English test and a group discussion.
Final interviewOne-to-one competency interview, roughly 45–60 minutes.
The Golden CallThe job offer, followed by document checks and a medical.
Training in DubaiAround seven and a half weeks of initial training before your first flight.

Questions people ask before applying

What is the minimum height for Emirates cabin crew?

Emirates requires a minimum height of 160 cm (5'3"). This is published on the airline's own careers site.

What arm reach does Emirates require?

You need to reach 212 cm (6'11"). Measured standing on tiptoes, fingertips flat against the wall. More candidates fail the reach test than the height check, because most people never measure it before the day.

How old do you have to be to join Emirates?

The minimum age is 21. No carrier publishes a maximum age, and none can reject you on a number. It is still weighed at selection — that part is unwritten. No Gulf carrier publishes a maximum age, so there is no number that disqualifies you on paper. Recruiters do weigh it at selection, but nobody states a limit.

Can I join Emirates cabin crew with tattoos?

No visible tattoos in uniform. Covered by uniform or make-up is not accepted as 'not visible'.

Does Emirates hire cabin crew from any country?

Open to all nationalities. Emirates recruits worldwide; visa eligibility is the real filter.

How much do Emirates cabin crew earn?

Not published by the airline. Basic + flying hours + layover allowance, paid tax-free in AED. Emirates does not publish figures — treat any number you see online as an estimate.

Preparing for Emirates?

Carmen La Recruiter hired cabin crew at Emirates for three years. The preparation covers the group exercise, the reach and grooming check, and the final interview — the three places candidates are actually cut.

See the preparation

Compare with the other Gulf airlines

If you are a few centimetres short here, another carrier may still be open to you. Emirates is one of 5.

Qatar AirwaysEtihad AirwaysflydubaiRiyadh AirAll compared

Preparation partner

Meeting the requirements is the easy part.

Most people who get rejected were eligible. They were cut in the group exercise or in the final interview. Carmen La Recruiter spent eight years at Emirates — five as crew, three hiring crew — and now prepares candidates for exactly these assessment days.

See the preparation