The UAE has two national airlines that hire on a huge scale: Emirates in Dubai and Etihad in Abu Dhabi. Their cabin crew requirements look similar at first glance, but the details differ in ways that decide whether you're even eligible. This guide compares them, explains the assessment day, and covers the airline-related jobs most people overlook.
Cabin crew requirements: Emirates vs Etihad
| Requirement | Emirates | Etihad |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 21 | 21 at time of application |
| Minimum height / reach | 160 cm, plus 212 cm arm reach on tiptoes | 163 cm |
| Prior experience | At least 1 year in hospitality or customer service | Not required — no aviation background needed |
| Education | High school | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Tattoos | None visible in uniform; covering with makeup is not accepted | No visible tattoos or piercings in uniform |
| Base | Dubai | Abu Dhabi |
What this means: if you have no customer-service experience yet, Etihad is the realistic option. If you have a year of retail, restaurant or hotel work, both are open to you. Requirements can change, so confirm on each airline's official careers page before applying.
What the cabin crew assessment day is really like
Airline cabin crew hiring isn't a single interview. After your online application passes screening, you're invited to an assessment day. Etihad's typically runs like this, and Emirates follows a similar structure:
- Sign-in and height (or reach) check. These are measured, not just asked about.
- Written English test — multiple choice and reading comprehension.
- A spontaneous spoken answer to a question you haven't prepared for. It tests composure.
- Group exercise. Assessors watch how you listen, contribute and treat others. Many candidates are filtered out here, so don't dominate or stay silent.
- Final interview, often with two recruiters: one asks, one takes notes. Expect questions about your work history and motivation.
- Conditional offer, then medical and background checks, then initial training in the airline's home city.
How to prepare
- Measure your reach honestly before investing time in the process.
- Prepare two or three short stories about handling difficult customers.
- In the group exercise, build on other people's ideas and help the group reach a decision.
- List every language you speak. Extra languages are a real advantage on international routes.
Beyond cabin crew: the jobs most applicants miss
dnata (part of Emirates Group)
Emirates Group is two businesses: the airline and dnata, an aviation and travel services company founded in 1959. dnata works in ground handling, cargo, flight catering and travel services across dozens of countries. If you have logistics, catering, hospitality or travel experience, dnata roles are often a less competitive way into the Group than cabin crew. On the Emirates Group careers portal, filter by brand to see dnata jobs.
Pilots
Pilot hiring at both airlines has its own criteria: licences, flight hours and aircraft type ratings. Etihad also runs cadet pathways for people building toward a commercial pilot career. General application tips don't apply here; check each airline's pilot recruitment page.
Engineering and operations
Aircraft maintenance roles usually need aviation-specific licensing, not just a general engineering degree. If you're coming from another industry, expect certifications to count heavily.
Corporate, IT and customer service
Both airlines hire for commercial, IT, finance and airport customer-service roles. These follow normal corporate hiring rather than the assessment-day format.
For UAE Nationals
Both Emirates Group and Etihad run dedicated development programmes for Emirati candidates across many career areas. Look for these by name rather than only browsing general vacancies, since eligibility and progression differ.
If the role you want isn't open
Airline hiring comes in waves tied to new aircraft and routes. Etihad's Talent Community lets you register for updates on upcoming recruitment events, and Emirates posts open days on its careers site. Check back regularly instead of applying to unrelated roles.
Airline job scams are common — here's the rule
Etihad has publicly stated it never asks candidates for payment during recruitment, and Emirates gives the same warning. Because cabin crew jobs are so popular, fake "recruitment agents" target applicants with requests for training fees, visa fees or deposits. Under UAE labour law, recruitment and visa costs are the employer's responsibility. Any payment request is a scam. Read our guide on applying safely and spotting fake job offers.
Common questions
Can I apply to Emirates and Etihad at the same time?
Yes. They're separate employers with separate processes.
Is the Emirates arm-reach rule actually enforced?
Yes. It's tied to reaching emergency equipment and is checked in person.
Do dnata jobs need aviation experience?
Not always. Cargo, catering and travel roles often value industry experience over aviation background.
Related guides
- UAE Job Interviews: How to Prepare
- UAE CV Format 2026
- UAE Probation Period Rules
- Your First 30 Days in the UAE
WayToVacancy is an independent career-information website and is not affiliated with Emirates, Emirates Group, dnata or Etihad Airways. We do not recruit, interview or collect fees. Requirements change — always verify on each airline's official careers website.