Many people dream of working for Emirates. But like any other job, it is not always rosy. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of working for one of the world’s best airlines.
If you are interested in working for Emirates, then this article will give you a glimpse into what it is like to have them as your employer.
Related: How Much Do Emirates Cabin Crew Make Per Month?
Let’s start with the pros:
Pros
- A lot of Travel: You’ll get the opportunity to fly to over 150 destinations across six continents, often with layovers allowing you to explore those cities.
- Competitive Salary & Monetary Perks: Emirates offers one of the highest tax-free salaries compared to other airlines. The package includes a basic salary, hourly pay for flying, and meal allowances during layovers. The average starting salary is usually around $3,000 USD per month or AED 9,000-10,000+ total per month. That is quite good.
- Free Accommodation & Transport: The airline provides free, furnished shared accommodation in Dubai, with your utilities paid for. You will also be provided with free transportation between where you are staying and the airport/training college. Those who do not get to live in the Emirates accommodation may receive a housing allowance.
- Great Travel Discounts: You and your family will receive significant discounts (up to 90%) on Emirates flights and partner airlines. You also get one free annual leave ticket to your home country.
- Comprehensive Benefits: The normal benefits include 30 days of paid annual leave, health and dental insurance, life insurance, and access to company facilities like gyms and pools. So, your accommodation is covered, you have free transportation, and medical insurance is catered for, allowing you to save quite a lot of money or enjoy spending it.
- Discounts in Dubai: Cabin crew benefit from numerous discounts across Dubai at restaurants, bars, hotels, spas, and various activities.
- Career Growth: Emirates offers a structured path for career progression within the airline. The skills gained are also valuable for other careers.
Related: Tips for Acing Your Emirates Cabin Crew Assessment Day
Cons
- Demanding Lifestyle: The Emirates cabin crew job involves irregular hours, frequent time zone changes leading to jet lag, fatigue, and potential long-term health impacts.
- Work-Life Balance Challenges: Because you are traveling frequently, you will most likely miss holidays, family events, and special occasions. A lot of crew have stated that maintaining relationships can be difficult.
- Job Insecurity & Strict Policies: Contracts given to cabin crew are often for fixed terms (e.g., 3 years) with no guaranteed renewal. The airline can have strict rules regarding sickness and conduct, and job security can feel precarious. High grooming and professional standards are expected.
- Emotional & Social Toll: You are interacting with a lot of people so you will definitely encounter difficult passengers, face potential loneliness from moving away from home, and constantly changing colleagues can be emotionally taxing. Some report challenges within the crew community.
- Accommodation Lottery: While accommodation is free, the location and age of the building assigned can vary, and you don’t choose your flatmates. Some get really modern accommodation that is close to Downtown, while other may get old buildings far away from the city center. Also, strict rules apply for visitors who may want to come to your accommodation to visit you.
Related: What Are the Requirements For Being an Emirates Cabin Crew?
Salary Summary
- Components: Basic salary + Flying pay (per hour) + Meal allowances (layovers).
- Average Range (Starting): Often cited around AED 9,225 (basic) per month, leading to total earnings potentially around AED 10,800+ or ~$3,000 USD per month, tax-free in the UAE. This increases with experience and rank.
- Benefits: Free housing (or allowance), transport, comprehensive insurance, generous leave, and travel discounts significantly add to the overall package.
Conclusion
There you have it, an unbiased look at what it looks like working as an Emirates cabin crew. Can you handle the pressure, the loneliness that might creep in, and missing important family functions? If you can, then you should go for it. As the other side of that is a lot of travel and a great salary.
