Middle EastCabin Crew Jobs

MECabinCrewJobs  /  United Arab Emirates

Etihad Airways cabin crew requirements 2026

Runs in-person recruitment days across European cities and offers a virtual assessment route for candidates who cannot travel. One of the few Gulf carriers that publishes a salary figure.

Apply on careers.etihad.com Check if I am eligible

The requirements in full

Every line below is marked Official when Etihad Airways 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
You must be 21 at the time of application.
Minimum height
163 cm (5'4")Official
The highest published minimum height of the Gulf carriers.
Arm reach
212 cm (6'11")Reported
Not published by Etihad; 212 cm is the figure applied at assessment days.
Education
High school graduate (Grade 12 or equivalent)Official
English
Fluent written and spokenOfficial
Additional languages are an advantage.
Experience
Not requiredReported
Tattoos
No visible tattoos in uniformOfficial
Etihad states that cosmetic or bandage coverings are not permitted — the tattoo has to be out of sight under the uniform itself.
Swimming
Not publishedReported
Nationality
Open to all nationalitiesReported
Visa
Relocation to Abu Dhabi, full support providedOfficial
Pay
Up to AED 10,000 per month, tax-freeOfficial
Plus flight hour pay and layover allowance, on top of the figure above.

Pay and what comes with the job

Up to AED 10,000 per month, tax-free. Plus flight hour pay and layover allowance, on top of the figure above.

  • Tax-free salary up to AED 10,000 per month plus flying and layover pay
  • 30 days annual leave
  • Relocation support with 30 days hotel accommodation on arrival
  • Furnished shared accommodation and free transport to work
  • Worldwide medical insurance for you and your family
  • Free annual tickets and travel discounts
  • Three year renewable contracts

How Etihad Airways selection actually runs

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

Apply onlineComplete the Cabin Crew Worldwide application on the Etihad careers portal.
Recruitment event or virtual assessmentIn-person events run across European cities; a virtual assessment is available if you cannot attend one.
InterviewFace-to-face, video or telephone interview before any formal offer.
Offer and joiningEtihad states it never asks candidates for payment at any stage of recruitment.

Questions people ask before applying

What is the minimum height for Etihad Airways cabin crew?

Etihad Airways requires a minimum height of 163 cm (5'4"). This is published on the airline's own careers site.

What arm reach does Etihad Airways require?

You need to reach 212 cm (6'11"). Not published by Etihad; 212 cm is the figure applied at assessment days. 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 Etihad Airways?

The minimum age is 21. You must be 21 at the time of application. 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 Etihad Airways cabin crew with tattoos?

No visible tattoos in uniform. Etihad states that cosmetic or bandage coverings are not permitted — the tattoo has to be out of sight under the uniform itself.

Does Etihad Airways hire cabin crew from any country?

Open to all nationalities.

How much do Etihad Airways cabin crew earn?

Up to AED 10,000 per month, tax-free. Plus flight hour pay and layover allowance, on top of the figure above.

Preparing for Etihad Airways?

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. Etihad Airways is one of 5.

EmiratesQatar 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