Emirates cabin crew recently surpassed the 20,000 member mark, and the airline continues to recruit cabin crew around the world to keep up with its projected growth trajectory.
The airline has hosted hiring events in 340 cities on six continents since 2022, reflecting the diversity of its cabin crew and the locations to which it travels. Instantly recognizable, Emirates cabin crew uniforms maintain their distinctive beige color with a subtly modern twist that stays true to the sleek, classic style the uniform has embodied over the years.
Loving the flight: Emirates’ longest-serving crew
The airline’s two longest-serving cabin crew members have worn most variations of the uniform, the most senior crew member is an Emirati purser who joined in 1987, and the most senior female cabin crew member, joined the airline in 1994.
Moosa Mubarak, an Emirati purser and Emirates’ longest-serving cabin crew member, said: «I have flown as Emirates cabin crew for 36 years on more than 3,500 flights. Even now, after all these years, I am always eager and excited to start my job on board.»
A diverse cabin crew team, now 20,000-strong
The Emirates team is made up of more than 140 nationalities and speaks 130 languages. Many cabin crew members have a long history with Emirates: more than 4,000 crew members have between 5 and 9 years of service; nearly 3,000 have between 10 and 14 years; more than 1,500 have between 15 and 19 years; and some 400 have passed the 20-year mark. Three crewmembers have been with the airline for more than 30 years.
As they advance, cabin crew members can work their way up to cabin supervisors, trainers or pursers. Emirates currently employs more than 1,100 pursers who have been promoted from the junior cabin crew category after successfully completing rigorous training and assessment.
Seeking global talent
Emirates organizes global recruitment events spanning hundreds of cities throughout the year. The airline offers cabin crew a competitive, duty-free salary and flight pay, hotel accommodation, layover expenses, concessionary travel and cargo, annual leave, furnished accommodation, transportation to and from work, medical, life and dental insurance coverage and other benefits.
Emirates also provides discounted airfare for friends and family to its cabin crew members. All new members undergo a rigorous eight-week training program at Emirates’ Dubai facility, which covers the highest standards of hospitality, safety and service delivery.
Emirates uniform facts
- The beige color of the Emirates uniform represents the golden sands of the UAE.
- The cream-colored Emirates scarf with 7 folds represents the 7 emirates of the UAE.
- 1,627,000 meters of fabric, 153,000 km of thread and 1,815,000 buttons are used to make the uniforms for Emirates’ 20,000 cabin crew.
See also: Emirates celebrates the first anniversary of the launch of its Premium Economy product
