The Dubai-based airline, Emirates is now advertising for a new Vice President of Cabin Crew – Just a couple of months after the previous title holder suddenly left the airline for “personal reasons”. The new VP will be responsible for leading a 20,000 strong cabin crew team and around 60 cabin crew managers.
Lynda Briody, who had held the title since November 2015, left Emirates in early January after the airline faced a barrage of criticism from its cabin crew community. Serving flight attendants bemoaned a series of changes that had been made at the airline in the last 12-months and have become increasingly vocal in airing their frustrations.
The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering “outstanding and consistent in-flight customer service” according to Emirates. This includes managing policies on onboard service, safety and grooming – as well as what Emirates calls “language capability” for the airline’s cabin crew who represent over 130 nationalities.
Emirates has also said it wants to create a “strong performance-based culture” across its cabin crew community – “ensuring that priorities, targets and accountabilities are defined, measured and achieved.”
Perhaps recognising the concerns raised by some cabin crew over the last few months, the new VP will also be charged with creating an improved “feeling of belonging” – a big focus will be made on improving communication between management and the airline’s largely remote workforce.
Briody had received mixed reviews from cabin crew during her term in the position – many suggested she had gone a long way to improve communication between cabin crew and management. Other social media posts suggested a sense of distrust with policies she enacted.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Briody oversaw the introduction a new communications platform and mobile app for cabin crew during her tenure. She also introduced a new way or recognising and rewarding flight attendants, including a “pay it forward” concept.
Since Briody’s resignation, Emirates has embarked on a huge cabin crew recruitment drive. It’s believed that around 360 new cabin crew will be joining the airline every month from April onwards.
