20,000 cabin crew help keep Emirates flying, like the supercarrier it is
Emirates’ cabin crew strength has crossed the 20,000-strong threshold even as the Dubai-headquartered supercarrier launches initiatives to recruit additional cabin crew globally to meet its growing operational needs.
More than 4,000 Emirates cabin crew have served the airline for between five to nine years; with nearly 3,000 serving for between 10 to 14 years; more than 1,500 serving for 15 to 19 years; and approximately 400 cabin crew members having served for over 20 years.
Three flight crew members have served for over 30 years.
The airline’s longest-serving cabin crew includes a male purser who joined in 1987, and the longest-serving female cabin crew, who joined the carrier in 1994.
Emirates’ flight crew corps consists of more than 140 nationalities who speak some 130 national and regional languages.
Homeage to UAE sands
The distinctive uniform that Emirates’ cabin crew wear on flights has undergone four changes in three decades, including a redesign by the late Spanish designer Paco Rabanne in 1997.
Emirates has stuck to the cabin crew’s beige uniform colour to date, largely as it represents the golden sands of the UAE.
The cream-coloured Emirates female cabin crew scarf with seven pleats represents the seven emirates of the UAE.
An astounding 1,627,000 metres of fabric, 153,000km of thread, and 1,815,000 buttons go into making uniforms for the 20,000 Emirates cabin crew.
Global recruitment
Meanwhile, with global air travel rebounding after the pandemic, Emirates is stepping up its plans to host global recruitment events in cities all year round.
The airline has hosted recruitment events in 340 cities on six continents since 2022.
Emirates crew are entitled to a tax-free salary, flying pay, eligibility for profit share, hotel stay, layover expenses, concessional travel and cargo, annual leave, annual leave ticket, furnished accommodation, transportation to and from work, medical, life and dental insurance coverage, laundry services and other benefits.
The cabin crew also benefits from the airline’s deeply discounted tickets for friends and family.
