Emirates Airlines is one of the two flagship carriers based in the United Arab Emirates. Known for its luxurious cabins and high-end service, it is one of the most sought after airlines in the flight attendant industry. Do flight attendants employed by Emirates make more than other airlines? Here FLYING examines the average Emirates flight attendant’s salary.
Find your dream flight attendant job. Send your well crafted resume to 145 employers through one single dashboard, and learn how to pass your flight attendant exam.
What Are Flight Attendant Requirements?
Most airlines require their flight attendant candidates to have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED) and be 21 years of age or older. They should also have the ability to: lift up to 50 pounds above their shoulders (to load luggage into overhead bins); push and/or pull a cart requiring 32 pounds of force, and open and close an emergency exit door weighing up to 60 pounds. English proficiency is also required for most flight attendant jobs at airlines operating in the U.S. Previous guest services experience is preferred and bilingual capabilities are a plus.
Flight attendant candidates should present a professional appearance. Certain airlines may require that tattoos be concealed and may also restrict visible body piercings (including ear gauges and cuffs).
Learn more about how to become a flight attendant.
Emirates’ Flight Attendant Salary
On average, Emirates flight attendants make between $36,000 and $53,000 a year when they first start at the airline. Some differences between Emirates and other airlines is that Emirates provides free accommodations for all crew members, including flight attendants. This means that flight attendants employed by Emirates will not have any housing bills. If a flight attendant opts to live outside the provided housing, they will be given $13,600 per year toward living expenses.
Another benefit of working for Emirates as a flight attendant is that the income is tax free.
The longer a flight attendant stays working for Emirates, the more they will make. Every year to year and a half, Emirates flight attendants move up in seniority and are given a raise.
Compare Flight Attendant Wages
Emirates is quite competitive against other airlines in terms of flight attendant salaries. Below are the average salaries of early career flight attendants. Emirates’ $13,600 housing allowance is not reflected here.
Average Early-Career Flight Attendant Salaries
| Airline | Annual Salary |
| Emirates | $36,000-53,000 |
| United | $35,000-40,000 |
| American | $30,000-56,000 |
| Delta | $33,000-45,000 |
Where Does Emirates Airline Operate?
Emirates is one of the larger airlines in the world and operates across 85 countries and in over 130 cities on six continents. Flight attendants at Emirates can choose to live in one of Emirates’ many hub cities. Some cities they can choose from include:
- New Castle, Austria
- Reading, United Kingdom
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Milan, Italy
- Amsterdam, The Netherlands
How To Become an Emirates Flight Attendant
According to Emirates’ career page, to be considered for Emirates’ cabin crew you’ll need to be:
- Fluent in written and spoken English (additional languages are an advantage; Emirates prides itself on its diverse crew and nationalities represented)
- A natural team player with a personality that shines
- At least 63 inches tall and able to reach 84 inches high
- Able to meet the UAE’s employment visa requirements
And have:
- At least one year of hospitality or customer service experience
- A minimum of high school (Grade 12) education
- No visible tattoos while in Emirates’ cabin crew uniform
Fly Emirates, Fly Better
Becoming a flight attendant is a great way to break into the aviation industry. Now that you know the Emirates flight attendant salary, you can make the best choice in moving forward in your career. If you are interested in learning how to be a pilot or staying up to date on aviation, subscribe to FLYING Magazine.
FAQ
Emirates does give flight attendants free housing, but this is not the norm across airlines.
Emirates Airline is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Flight attendants make between $30-120,000 a year based on the airline and their seniority at the airline.
