Etihad is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, flying from its Abu Dhabi hub to more than 100 destinations. It has told candidates it plans to double its fleet by 2030, which makes it one of the larger cabin crew employers in the Gulf. It is also one of the few airlines where the job comes with a move to another country, so the decision to apply is about a lot more than the airline itself.
What you’ll find in this guide: We’ll take you through the entire application process, starting with whether Etihad is recruiting, the minimum requirements, and how Etihad hires in 2026. Then we’ll tackle the parts that matter most – how to pass each stage of the process.
While Etihad provides a summary of each step in the recruitment process on its own website, what it won’t do is tell you how to pass each stage. We explain what the process is really testing, what to expect, and what to do if you think something has gone wrong.
Is Etihad Hiring Cabin Crew Right Now?
Hiring now. Etihad has recruitment events coming up in Bangkok, Bali, Porto, and Lisbon, and expects even more in the near future.
- Next events: Bangkok (November 12), Bali (November 24), Porto (December 8), Lisbon (December 10).
- Your country not listed? You can still apply online or register your interest for future events.
- What to do now: Apply. Etihad is recruiting for its 2027 training classes. See the full status breakdown
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Minimum Requirements
Checked and verified
Worth knowing: Etihad looks for candidates with genuine hospitality instinct, cultural awareness, composure under pressure, and the ability to work effectively in a highly multicultural team.
Etihad no longer requires candidates to perform a reach test, but the minimum height requirement has increased from 160cm to 163cm (5.24 feet to 5.34 feet).
How Etihad Recruits in 2026
Before we get into the details, let's just take a quick look at Etihad's recruitment process in summary. We've split the process into five clear stages:
- Apply online. You choose a vacancy on Etihad's careers site, create a candidate profile, and apply. Etihad lists vacancies by country or region, so find the one that applies to you.
- Complete the online assessment. If Etihad shortlists you, you are invited by email to an online assessment that includes a recorded video interview. You do it at home against a deadline.
- Attend the assessment day. Shortlisted candidates are invited to an assessment day, held virtually or in person, where Etihad checks your presentation and runs its group and individual exercises.
- Pass the final interview and English test. These normally take place as the closing part of the assessment day.
- Receive your offer and clear the checks. An offer is followed by medical, background and records checks, and then your training date.
What to have ready before you apply. A CV or resume that a person and an applicant tracking system can both read, written to match the vacancy. Etihad also asks for a cover letter and photographs, but requirements can differ between vacancies, so follow the instructions on yours. For help with the CV, see our cabin crew CV guide, and for the cover letter, check our dedicated guide.
Is there a walk-in route? Walk-in events have been reported in some cities, although this option is becoming increasingly rare. In most cases, you will submit your application online and then be invited to an Assessment Day.
Staying safe. Etihad does not charge candidates to apply. If anyone asks you for money or for sensitive details such as bank information, stop, and check the approach against Etihad's careers site before you reply.
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How to Apply: Step by Step
The Etihad Cabin Crew Recruitment Process at a Glance
Five stages from application to offer. Select any stage to jump straight to it.
Etihad lists the qualities it looks for in its cabin crew. They are the closest thing to a scoring sheet the airline publishes, and every stage below is testing them in one way or another. Etihad wants people who are:
- Able to inspire guests through innovative hospitality
- Positive, confident, flexible and friendly
- Passionate about travel and adventure
- Able to adapt to new people, new places and new situations
- At their best in a fast-paced and changing environment
- Excellent in personal presentation, style and image
- Committed to onboard safety and following every procedure
Keep that list to hand as you read on.
1. Apply Online
You apply through Etihad's careers site by creating a candidate profile, choosing the vacancy for your country or region, and submitting your CV/resume, along with a cover letter and photographs in full business attire. Etihad reviews applications and invites the candidates it likes to complete an online assessment.
What this stage is really testing. This initial part of your application is not only testing whether you meet the hard requirements, but whether your CV and cover letter demonstrate evidence of the qualities and experience that Etihad is looking for in its cabin crew.
How to pass it.
- Check the requirements first. Read all of the minimum requirements and other criteria, then check yourself against the list. Applying when you do not meet a requirement wastes your application.
- Build your CV around evidence. Rather than simply listing job responsibilities, the bulk of your CV should be dedicated to describing real achievements that match the qualities in Etihad's list, such as a time you turned around an unhappy customer or adapted quickly to something new.
- Make it readable by software. Your CV will initially be screened by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) +. The ATS reads your CV to ensure that you meet the minimum requirements and have demonstrated the qualities that Etihad is looking for. To ensure your CV can be read by the ATS, ensure that it is formatted properly, using a simple, ATS-proof template.
- Use the cover letter properly. Writing a cover letter + seems a little old-fashioned nowadays, but Etihad gives you a second opportunity to briefly outline your skills and experience and how they match what the airline is looking for.
- Follow the photo instructions precisely. If you are asked for photographs, use the standards in the application: business attire, a white backdrop, facing the camera, and a natural smile.
Where candidates slip up. The biggest mistake that candidates make at this stage is submitting a generic CV that has not been optimized for Etihad, listing responsibilities rather than describing achievements +. Also ensure that all gaps in your work history are fully accounted for,
What happens next. Etihad reviews your application, first using the ATS, and then a recruiter looks at the strongest ones. If you pass this stage, you will be invited to complete an online assessment that includes a recorded video interview.
What you might hear on the grapevine. Candidates are sometimes told that they stand a far better chance of succeeding by attending an Open Day rather than submitting an online application. Remember, Etihad is moving away from the Open Day format, which makes it all the more important that you optimise your CV for the online application.
Prepare in depth. Getting your CV right takes time, but it is time well spent. We recommend an ATS-friendly template, and our free templates and CV writing guide are the place to start. Our guide to cover letters explains when one helps and how to write it.
CV and Resume Writing Hub
Follow our detailed step-by-step guide to writing your perfect CV
Free CV and Resume Templates
Optimized to be ATS-proof
Action Words For Your Cabin Crew CV
Discover the words that will make your CV stand out
Checklist: step 1
Before you submit your application
If something went wrong
I spotted a mistake after I submitted.
Check whether your candidate profile lets you edit the application. In our experience, a small typo is unlikely to end an application on its own. A wrong date or qualification is more serious because it can be checked later, so correct it as soon as you can and keep your answers consistent from then on.
I have not heard anything.
We could not find a published response time, and the wait varies. Silence on its own is not a rejection; only a rejection email is. Keep checking your spam folder and your candidate profile, and keep preparing so you are ready if an invitation arrives at short notice.
I received a rejection email.
Read the wording carefully. We could not find a published waiting period before you can apply again, so check the careers site for a new vacancy and use the gap to fix the likely cause, usually thin evidence on the CV or a missed requirement.
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2. Complete the Online Assessment
If Etihad likes your application, you will be invited to complete an online assessment. The assessment includes a recorded video interview, along with a situational judgement test + and personality questions.
You complete the assessment in your own time at home, but treat this section as if you are attending an in-person Assessment Day: the same grooming and appearance standards apply, and you'll need to set aside enough time to complete the assessment somewhere that is quiet and free of any distractions.
What the online assessment involves, part by part.
- An introduction. A short video about Etihad's culture of work and life in Abu Dhabi, consent information, and text about Etihad's key values. Read the values carefully, because they are the best preview of what the questions are looking for.
- Three recorded video questions. Each answer is capped at three minutes. The questions you may face include: one asking you to state your height, summarise your work experience and explain why you are applying; one asking about a time you saw someone not following rules, protocols or instructions, what you did and what happened; and one asking about a time you took on a challenge, why you chose it, what you did and how it went. You'll record the first answer in a standing position with you visible to the camera from head to toe, so make sure you are dressed appropriately.
- Around eight situational questions. Scenarios about situations on board or on a flight, asking how you would react.
- Around thirty quick personality statements. Each question shows two opposing statements, such as one about being open and confident and another about being shy. You choose one answer in total, either "most" under one statement or "more likely" under the other, so your choice shows which one fits you better.
- An automated summary. After you submit, an automated summary of your personality and strengths will be sent to you by email. Don't read too much into this summary. The results don't indicate whether you have passed or failed the assessment.
What this stage is really testing. This assessment is testing a lot, and it's giving Etihad a really good feel for who you are as a person. From the very start, this assessment is testing your appearance and grooming standards; it's also checking whether you have the skills and work experience that Etihad is looking for, as well as your personality and how you would handle typical real-life situations that could happen on board.
How to pass it.
- Treat it as a real interview. Wear business attire from the start, even for the seated questions. Put the camera at eye level, with light on your face and a plain wall behind you. If a question asks you to stand, make sure you have room to be seen from head to toe.
- Prepare three flexible stories. One about a time someone around you did not follow the rules and what you did about it, one about a challenge you took on, and one about helping a customer. Use the SOAR method to help structure your answers (situation, objective, actions, result) +.
- Time your answers. Practise out loud and record yourself. Finish comfortably within the three minutes, with a clear result, rather than getting cut off mid-sentence.
- Prepare a natural opening answer. You will be asked to state your height, your experience, and your reason for applying in one answer. Practise a short version that flows, without sounding like a script.
- Read the situational questions carefully. Read each one to the end, then choose the answer that puts safety and procedure first, then the passenger, then efficiency. The friendliest option is not always the right one.
- Answer the personality questions as yourself. Go quickly and consistently. Trying to guess the profile Etihad wants tends to backfire, because similar questions come back in different forms.
- Choose your moment. A quiet, uninterrupted block of time, a charged device and a stable connection, and not when you are tired.
Where candidates slip up. You will have a deadline to complete the assessment, but that doesn't mean you should rush to complete it or leave it to the last minute. Take some time to prepare yourself, your answers, and your setting. Choose a time when you are calm and well-rested, and you know you won't be distracted.
What happens next? Given just how much is being assessed at this point, don't expect an immediate answer from Etihad. Once your assessment has been reviewed, you'll be told via email whether you are invited to progress in the application journey.
Prepare in depth. We've developed a whole library of resources to help candidates at this stage of the recruitment process, and it would be almost impossible to explain every tip in this one guide. Instead, we recommend checking out some of our dedicated guides in the Online Assessment Hub that you can find linked below, which includes free practice tests to give you a taste of what's to come.
Online Assessments Hub
Every guide to help you through the online assessment process
What is an On-Demand Video Interview?
An introduction to this misunderstood assessment
Common ODVI Interview Questions
The questions you should be preparing for
Checklist: step 2
Before you start your online assessment
If something went wrong
My connection dropped or the page froze.
Contact Etihad using the details in your invitation straight away, explain exactly what happened and ask whether the link can be reset. We could not find a published policy on this, so there is no promise, but speed and honesty help.
I stumbled in the middle of an answer.
Keep going. Your instructions will say whether you can re-record, and if they do not allow it, finishing calmly is the best option available. Recruiters are not expecting a flawless take.
I ran out of time before I finished an answer.
You cannot fix it afterwards, so tighten the next answers. In practice, lead with the action you took and keep the set-up to one sentence.
I am worried I gave the wrong answer on a personality question.
Nobody outside Etihad can say how these questions are scored, so one answer you are unsure about is not something you can fix. Answer the rest as yourself and move on.
My deadline is close and I have not started.
Do not rush it in poor conditions. If you cannot meet the date, contact Etihad using the details in your invitation straight away and explain. We could not find a published extension policy, so ask rather than assume.
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3. Attend the Assessment Day
If your online assessment goes well, Etihad will invite you to an Assessment Day. Etihad runs both in-person and virtual Assessment Days depending on where you are based. The Assessment Day includes a height and tattoo check, an individual discussion of your experience, and a group exercise or role play to show your customer service experience, teamwork and communication skills +.
In our experience, the day also includes a short one-to-one exercise where each candidate is asked a single unpredictable question, such as which superpower they would choose. This is a great way to see how candidates react on the spot, and is more a test of how naturally you could hold a conversation.
What this stage is really testing. How you behave around other people for a sustained period. The best way to think of it is as continuous assessment from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, so recruiters are watching during the structured tasks and in between them. Etihad's crew work with colleagues from a very wide range of backgrounds, so recruiters watch particularly for warmth and cultural awareness.
How to pass it.
- Be a good team member, not the loudest. In group exercises, recruiters reward people who listen, build on others' ideas and bring quieter members into the conversation. Dominating the group is as damaging as fading into it +.
- Handle the unexpected question calmly. Listen carefully, take a breath, repeat the question back to confirm you understood it, and answer warmly. The content matters less than the delivery. There is no right answer to a superpower question, and it cannot be rehearsed.
- Be consistent all day. Be polite to everyone from the moment you arrive, including other candidates, and stay warm during breaks and waiting time. Do not look at your phone or complain about delays.
- Dress conservatively. Smart, well-pressed business attire and tidy grooming. This is not the place to stand out through clothing.
- Expect the height and tattoo checks. Etihad lists them as part of the day. The minimum height is 163 cm, so measure yourself properly beforehand.
Where candidates slip up. You will be assessed from the moment you walk through the door, and while no one expects you to put on an act, you should be bringing the very best version of yourself to the Assessment Day. Stay engaged and positive for the entire day.
What happens next. Candidates who do well are usually invited to the Final Interview, which is often held on the same day.
Prepare in depth. The best preparation is to practise each type of exercise before the day. Our Assessment Day Hub collects our guides on group tasks, role plays, and icebreakers, and our other guides cover what to wear and the mistakes we see time and time again. For Etihad specifically, our cheat sheet covers the airline knowledge you can be asked about, and our guide to the random question test explains that exercise in detail.
Assessment Day Hub
Our entire library of Assessment Day guides
What to Wear to Your Assessment Day
Including grooming, hair, and accessories
The Etihad Assessment Day Cheat Sheet
Learn quick facts about Etihad
Checklist: step 3
Before your assessment day
If something went wrong
I went blank on a question.
Ask for a moment, breathe, and give a simple answer. In our experience, composure and warmth matter more than what you actually say on the unexpected-question exercise.
I arrived late or something went wrong before I even started.
Tell the first recruiter you meet, calmly and briefly. Apologise once and move on. How you handle the problem is itself being watched.
I think a group exercise went badly.
Recruiters watch the whole day, not one task. Stay warm and consistent for the rest of the day, because what you do next is also being assessed.
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4. Pass the Final Interview and English Test
Before you get to the Final Interview, you'll need to complete an English test, which is required of all candidates, regardless of what their first language is or their formal English qualifications +.
The Final Interview is usually a competency-based conversation + lasting between 25 and 40 minutes. Again, this is where structuring your answers using the SOAR method will come in really handy.
What this stage is really testing. While the Final Interview might seem like a repeat of the Video Interview, this is an opportunity for a real recruiter to see how you can describe your experience and skills in person for the first time.
How to pass it.
- Prepare examples against Etihad's qualities. The stories you used for your online assessment will serve you here, with more depth, because a person can now ask follow-up questions. Know them well enough to answer "what would you do differently?"
- Use SOAR again. Keep the set-up short, be specific about your own actions, and finish with the result.
- Have a real answer to "why Etihad, and why now?" Know where the airline is going, including its plan to double its fleet by 2030 and the Abu Dhabi hub, and what makes it different from its neighbours. Then add the personal reason. A generic answer about travel could be given to any airline.
- Show that you understand the realities. A three-year contract, shared accommodation, living in Abu Dhabi, and working irregular hours are all in the advert. Showing that you know and accept them tells recruiters you will stay the course.
- Practise written English. If the test is written, practise short, accurate answers and re-read them. Candidates who have not written formal English for a while are the ones who stumble.
Where candidates slip up. Giving generic answers with no substance, talking about what the team did instead of what they did, and underestimating the English test.
Prepare in depth. Our Interview Preparation Hub covers how to answer competency questions with specific, structured examples, including the SOAR method, and how to handle "tell me about yourself". Build your example bank before the day, so you are choosing between stories, not inventing one under pressure.
Interview Preparation Hub
Every guide to prepare for your Final Interview
SOAR to Success at Your Final Interview
The one method you need to learn
Final Interview Walkthrough
Our free, interactive Final Interview tool
Checklist: step 4
Before your final interview
If something went wrong
The interview was shorter than I expected.
Length is not a reliable signal. A short interview is not necessarily a bad one, so do not read too much into it.
I gave a weak answer to one question.
Recover on the next question. In our experience, recruiters are scoring the whole conversation, not a single answer.
I have not heard anything since the day.
Etihad says it will review your application and your assessment day results and be in touch. We could not find a published timeline, so a quiet week or two is not unusual.
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5. Receive Your Offer and Clear the Checks
If you are successful at your Final Interview, Etihad makes a conditional offer. That means the offer depends on you passing pre-employment checks, which include a medical, a background check, and a criminal record check. Your medical is carried out to UAE aviation authority requirements and covers general health, vision, hearing and fitness to perform safety duties.
- Respond quickly and completely. Reply to every request in full and keep copies of everything you send.
- Keep your answers consistent. The dates, addresses, and details you give now need to match your application and your CV.
- Have your documents ready. A valid passport, qualification certificates, and records of anywhere you have lived are the usual ones, and your offer will list what you need.
- Do not resign yet. Wait until every check is cleared and you have a start date in writing before you give notice, book travel, or sign anything you cannot undo.
What happens next. Once cleared, you receive your start date and move to Abu Dhabi for training. Training is paid, and your offer will set out the details, along with your probation period and the terms of the contract, so read all of it, not only the salary.
Checklist: step 5
Before you accept an offer
If something went wrong
A medical result is a problem.
Ask Etihad what the options are and what it needs from you. Do not resign from your current job until every check is cleared and you have a start date in writing.
The checks are taking longer than expected.
Background checks can depend on the countries you have lived in and how quickly records arrive. Respond to every request promptly and ask for an update through the contact named in your offer.
I have been told I have the job but have nothing in writing.
Wait for the written offer before you give notice, book travel or sign a lease. A verbal yes is not a contract.
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Training
Training takes place in Abu Dhabi, where you'll learn hospitality and customer service, safety and emergency procedures, and aviation security knowledge. Safety and emergency procedures are the heart of it, and they are what you are legally required to know before you fly.
Training is paid, and accommodation and transport are provided during this period.
Apply through Etihad's careers site at careers.etihad.com. Be wary of anyone who asks you to pay for an application, a place at an assessment day or a job offer. If an event is run with a recruitment partner, it should be listed on Etihad's careers site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Etihad's vacancy advertises a tax-free salary, with additional pay for flight hours and layovers, of up to AED 10,000 a month depending on your roster. It is a ceiling, not a guarantee. See the Package section on our Etihad hub page
Yes. Etihad’s “Cabin Crew 2027 Opportunities” posting is live on its careers site, with recruitment events in Bangkok on November 12, Bali on November 24, Porto on December 8, and Lisbon on December 10. You can also apply online or register your interest if there isn’t an event near you.
The minimum height is 163 cm. Height is checked at the assessment day, so measure yourself properly before you apply. See Minimum Requirements.
No. Etihad says no visible tattoos while you are in uniform, and says cosmetic and bandage coverings are not allowed.
Yes. Training is paid, and accommodation and transport are provided during it. Your offer sets out the details.
This page is part of our extensive coverage of Etihad's cabin crew recruitment process, which is drawn from years of following the airline's open days and assessment process. If you're getting ready to apply, check out these essential links.
