Presentation matters at every stage of the Emirates recruitment process. Candidates who arrive at an Open Day or Assessment Day at uniform standard — the right business attire, correct makeup, hair worn in an approved style — are known to perform better than those who haven’t done their research. Recruiters are assessing your suitability for the role from the moment you walk in, and your appearance is part of that assessment.
For candidates with Afro-style hair, getting this right requires a little more specific preparation than a generic grooming guide can provide. Emirates has published official guidelines covering exactly how Afro-style hair should be worn, both during the recruitment process and as a serving crew member. This article sets out those guidelines clearly.
Worth knowing: The guidelines below reflect Emirates’ official published standards. Hair and grooming policies can be updated periodically, and we recommend verifying the current standards directly with Emirates before your Open Day or Assessment Day. The Emirates careers website and your recruiter are the authoritative sources for the most up-to-date requirements.
General Rules
These apply regardless of your specific Afro hairstyle:
- Hair must be neat and tidy at all times
- Strands of hair must be kept away from the face
- Hair must not touch the collar of your jacket
- A useful mental check: style your hair as if you were already wearing the Emirates red hat
Hair Colour
Acceptable colours are black, dark brown, light brown, and dark copper. Highlights are permitted but must look natural. Heavily processed or unnatural colour is not permitted.
Permitted
Not Permitted
Braided Styles and Cornrows
- Braids and cornrows must be small or medium in size — large braids are not permitted
- Choose simple styles — intricate or decorative designs are not allowed
- The scalp can be visible between braids and cornrows
- Slight curves are permitted
- The pattern can be styled to the back or to the side
Permitted
Not Permitted
Locks
- Locks must be small or medium in size — large locks are not permitted
- Hair must be neatly and regularly locked with minimal regrowth
Permitted
Not Permitted
Natural Hair — Short to Medium
- Short natural styles are permitted
- Shaved looks are not permitted
- Shaved lines are not permitted — natural partings are allowed
- There should be no extreme differences in length
- The cut must be gradual and blended
Permitted
Not Permitted
Natural Hair — Medium to Long
- If hair becomes too high in volume, it should be pulled back into a puff
- Volume that cannot be managed or contained is not permitted
Permitted
Not Permitted
If you are preparing for an Emirates Open Day or Assessment Day, the resources below will help you get ready across every aspect of the process.
- Emirates Cabin Crew Recruitment Hub – An extensive guide that contains links to all of our most-read Emirates recruitment preparation articles.
- The Emirates Cheat Sheet for the Open Day and Assessment Day – what to expect on the day and how to stand out
- Emirates Cabin Crew Recruitment: The Complete Guide – every stage of the process in detail
- Free Cabin Crew Resume Templates
- The Ultimate Recruitment Guide
