Good news: Dubai’s homegrown ‘low-cost carrier’ flydubai has just reopened cabin crew recruitment, with one confirmed listing now live: an Assessment Day that will take place in Dubai. Read on to find out more about this event and how to apply.
Why Did flydubai Stop Recruiting?
flydubai has been going through the same regional turbulence as the rest of the Gulf carriers this year. Escalating conflict involving Iran massively disrupted schedules, and flydubai has been the slowest of the regional airlines to recover.
Recruitment was suspended as flydubai simply didn’t need as many cabin crew to operate its much smaller schedule. But with flydubai now restoring more and more flights, the airline has finally been able to make an accurate forecast of how many cabin crew it will need in the near future: the good news is that flydubai has decided it needs to hire more crew.
Where Is flydubai Recruiting?
Just one location for now.
At the moment, flydubai has only one Assessment Day planned, and this one will take place in Dubai. Applications must be submitted by 10th September 2026, and shortlisted candidates will then receive an invitation for the actual event.
How Can I Apply?
Applications have to be submitted online via flydubai’s official careers website. Your resume or CV is screened, and then you will be assigned an online assessment to complete, including an on-demand video interview.
From there, flydubai’s recruiters will review everyone’s application and build a shortlist of candidates that they want to invite to the Assessment Day.
You don’t have to be based in Dubai to apply for this Assessment Day, but if you are shortlisted, it will be up to you to travel to the event in your own time and at your own expense.
What’s the Package?
The contract: flydubai employs cabin crew directly on an open-ended contract — not the fixed-term structure common at some other Gulf carriers. The probation period is six months. A training bond of USD 2,650 (approx. AED 9,700) applies during your first year, and it’s recoverable by flydubai if you leave before completing 12 months.
Salary structure: Pay has two main components — a fixed monthly package, and variable flying pay on top. All figures are tax-free under UAE law, though check your home country’s rules on declaring overseas income before assuming the full amount is net.
- Fixed monthly package (basic salary + housing allowance + transport allowance): AED 8,275 — confirmed directly by flydubai, and guaranteed regardless of hours flown.
- Variable flying pay: average AED 4,500/month, based on an average of 90 flying hours. This moves with your actual roster — more hours, more pay; fewer hours, less.
- Typical all-in monthly total, year one: AED 12,775, combining the fixed package with average flying pay.
- Mid-career crew: approximately AED 16,000–18,000/month with seniority and consistent flying hours.
- Senior/supervisory crew: up to AED 20,000+/month.
Housing and transport: The AED 8,275 fixed package already bundles in housing and transport allowances rather than paying them separately. You’re responsible for finding your own accommodation in Dubai — the allowance contributes toward rent, but in most cases won’t cover a comfortable apartment outright (areas like Discovery Gardens, International City, and Dubai Sports City tend to offer better value for crew). flydubai covers airport transport, and pays for hotels on international layovers.
End of service benefit: In line with UAE norms, flydubai pays an end-of-service gratuity based on basic salary and length of service, rather than contributing to a pension. Worth factoring into long-term planning if you’re used to employer pension contributions back home.
Other benefits: medical insurance, 30 days paid annual leave, one annual leave ticket home, concessional tickets for family and friends (extending to Emirates flights through the Emirates Group relationship), uniform provided, and shared access to the Emirates Skywards loyalty programme.
What Does flydubai Look For?
- Age: At least 21.
- Height: Minimum 158cm.
- Appearance: Well-groomed, professional, no visible tattoos while in uniform.
- Health: Able to pass an aero medical examination.
- Water confidence: Comfortable in water while wearing a flotation aid/life jacket.
- English: Fluent, written and spoken; additional languages are an advantage.
- Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- Experience: At least 1 year in a customer service role — aviation, hospitality, or retail preferred. International aviation experience is a plus but not required.
- Other: Willing to work irregular hours including weekends, holidays, and overnight shifts; a valid passport; willingness to relocate to Dubai.
This page is part of our ongoing coverage of flydubai cabin crew recruitment, covering the airline's pay, process and what makes it different from the bigger Gulf carriers. If you're getting ready to apply, here's where to go next.
