Emirates is the airline most people picture when they think of cabin crew, and it’s easy to see why. The Dubai-based carrier flies to around 140 destinations on six continents, every one of its aircraft is a long-haul widebody, and its package of tax-free pay, free accommodation and staff travel sits near the top of what the industry offers. Its cabin crew come from more than 150 nationalities, and every year, tens of thousands of people apply to join them.
But is Emirates hiring cabin crew right now? This article, which is updated with every change and development, will tell you everything you need to know.
At a Glance
At a Glance
Hiring now. Emirates has more than 80 cabin crew recruitment events on its careers site, with walk-in Open Days across Europe, Australia, New Zealand and North America, and invite-only Assessment Days in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America.
- Next events: Open Days almost every day through November, from London and Berlin to Sydney and Los Angeles.
- No event near you? You can still apply online. Emirates is also recruiting online in Dubai and New York.
- What to do now: Find your nearest event and get your CV ready.
The short answer to “Is Emirates hiring cabin crew right now?” is Yes. Emirates is running one of its biggest recruitment drives of the year, with more than 60 walk-in Open Days and more than 20 invite-only Assessment Days listed on its careers site between now and late December. Here’s what we know, and how to make the most of it.
How Emirates Recruits Cabin Crew
Emirates recruits almost all year round, but it does it in two different ways, and which one applies to you depends on where you live.
- Open Days (walk-in). In most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and North America, Emirates runs Open Days that you can simply turn up to. Events start at 9 am, and you’ll meet a recruiter in person on the day.
- Assessment Days (invite only). In many other countries, you must apply online first through the Emirates careers site. If you’re shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an Assessment Day in your city. Some of these events are run by agencies that Emirates has appointed, so check the event details for how to register.
Whichever route you take, bring a valid ID, and have digital copies (PDF) of your English CV, your education certificate, and your passport ready.
Worth knowing: Arrive early for an Open Day. Emirates Open Days attract big crowds, and recruiters start assessing you from the moment you walk in. Some candidates are cut in the first round, within minutes of meeting a recruiter, so first impressions matter more here than almost anywhere else.
Where Things Stand Right Now
Emirates is recruiting on a huge scale. Its careers site currently lists more than 80 cabin crew events in the space of eight weeks, from Glasgow to Gold Coast, and from Cancun to Colombo. In the UK alone, there are Open Days in London, Glasgow, Bristol, Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester, and at both Gatwick and Heathrow before the end of November.
Emirates kept recruiting through the regional disruption of 2026, even while Qatar Airways paused cabin crew hiring, and the current schedule suggests it is building a large pipeline of new crew for 2027. With around 277 aircraft and new Airbus A350s entering service, the airline needs a constant flow of new cabin crew just to keep pace.
How Likely Is Emirates to Keep Hiring?
Minimum Requirements
Checked and verified
Emirates’ appearance standards are strict, and they are assessed from the moment you arrive at an Open Day. Read our full guide to Emirates cabin crew appearance and grooming standards before you go.
Worth knowing: Pay is a big part of the draw. New Emirates cabin crew start on a basic salary of AED 4,980 a month, and with flying pay, take home an average of around AED 11,244 (about $3,061) a month in year one, tax-free, with layover allowances on top and accommodation provided. Our Emirates cabin crew salary and benefits guide has the full breakdown.
How to Apply and Stand Out
If there’s an Open Day near you, go in person. Otherwise, apply online through the Emirates careers site. From there, the process runs through the Open Day or Assessment Day, an English test, a group exercise, the Final Interview and online personality testing, and, if you’re successful, the Golden Call.
With so many events coming up, the priority is being ready when you walk in:
- Get your CV ready. At an Open Day, a recruiter may decide in seconds, and online applications are screened before anyone meets you.
- Practise your English. The Emirates English test catches out more candidates than most people expect.
- Check your appearance against the standards. Height, reach, tattoos and grooming are all assessed in person.
- Know the airline. Our Emirates cheat sheet covers what recruiters expect you to know.
- Understand life in Dubai. Read our Life in the UAE guide before you commit.
Our Emirates cabin crew recruitment guide walks through every stage in detail, and the Emirates recruitment hub brings all our Emirates guides together in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Emirates has more than 80 cabin crew recruitment events listed on its careers site, with walk-in Open Days across Europe, Australia, New Zealand and North America through November, and invite-only Assessment Days in other regions running into late December.
[airline slug=”emirates” field=”last_opened_date”
Yes, if it’s listed as an Open Day. Open Days are walk-in events that start at 9 am. Assessment Days are invite-only, and you must apply online first.
A valid ID, plus digital copies (PDF) of your English CV, your education certificate and your passport.
New cabin crew start on a basic salary of AED 4,980 a month. With flying pay, the average comes to around AED 11,244 a month in year one, tax-free, with layover allowances on top and accommodation provided.
No. You need at least one year of hospitality or customer service experience, but previous cabin crew experience isn’t required.
This page is part of our ongoing coverage of Emirates cabin crew recruitment, built from years of first-hand experience with the airline's open days and assessment process. If you're getting ready to apply, here's where to go next.
