It’s got to be the most glamorous job in the world right? New York, Capetown and Sydney then home to Dubai for drinks by the pool – it’s all in a weeks work!
When was it that you decided that you wanted to work for an airline?
Perhaps when you were younger and on holiday you just loved the excitement of travel and have now realised that this is the job for you?
Perhaps you’re currently working 9 to 5, bored and thinking there must be more to life than this?
Perhaps you don’t even know the reason – you just know that this is what you want to do!
How do I get started?
You might want to look at getting your CV sorted. Almost every airline requires you to send them a CV is part of the application process. This CV got me an interview with every airline I applied to. If you want to see what it looks like you can get it here for FREE
Another starting point is to understand the different types of airlines and what they look for when recruiting crew. There are basically 3 main types of airlines that you need to be know about:
Budget Airlines such as Easyjet or Ryanair
These airlines offer short-haul routes (flights of less then 3 hours) and consequently do not offer “stop-overs” (staying over at the destination). The other thing is that they tend to offer lower wages than the other airline types. Despite that, they can offer you a great chance to break into the industry when you’re younger (Easyjet take people from the age of 18, whereas many other airlines require you to be 21). To get a really good idea what you’d need to do to get a job with Easyjet click here.
Charter Airlines
These are flights that are part of a package holidays. Package holidays are put together by tour operators who package flights, accommodation and transfers together and sell them through travel agents or on their website at one price (you learn something every day!). The two largest European charter airline companies are Thomson Airways and Thomas Cook and both start their peak recruiting around November for the following summer season ( May to Oct). On the plus side it’s a great way to break into the industry at 18 and there are also some limited opportunities to stop-over on long-haul routes (flights of more than 8 hours). On the down side contracts are normally only seasonal (May – Oct) and wages can be lower.
Full Service Airlines
For many people, working for these airlines is the ultimate goal. Glamorous long-haul routes, exotic stop-overs and the opportunity to live in another country means the competition for these jobs is high. Emirates, Ethihad, British Airway are all “dream job” airlines. In fact the telephone call that Emirates Airlines make to offer you the job is nicknamed “The golden call” and for many people this is the start of a life changing adventure.
Laurie Berryman, VP United Kingdom at Emirates, told My Travel Teacher: “The UK has always been an important region for Emirates, not only in terms of our operations here, but as a source for talented employees. We’re looking for skilled workers who are ready to broaden their horizons and work for a global organisation offering huge opportunities.
“Dubai offers something truly special for expats, from a booming social and sports scene to world quality schools. Emirates also offers staff unrivalled benefits, including a tax-free salary, fully-furnished shared accommodation and health benefits. We’re confident that with such a strong offering, we’ll see a good response from candidates this year.”
That’s the good news. The bad news is that an airline like Emirates gets around 15,000 applications per month for cabin crew jobs so competition is intense. In order to succeed what you’ll need to is make sure you understand how to apply and how to shine at the interview. There are a number of online books and websites that can help you with this, the problem is that some of them are just not that good.
Would like to see a CV layout that is guaranteed to impress every airline?
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Hey,
I want your help. I hope I get my answers.
Ill be 17 this February and I really want to get in Emirates. I heard they are not taking job interview since 2015, is it true? Please tell me how can I get a break in airlines. I live in India do they have their interview here? Is it a plus point to go to frankfin university? Should I joint frankfin here in India or frankfin in Dubai for higher chance. And lastly how should I prepare myself from today it self to clear Emirates interview.
Hi Roshan
Emirates have limited their recruiting since around 2016. We are not sure we they will restart although we hope it will be in 2018. I would say however that you are too young at the moment (you need to be 21 for Emirates) so that gives you a chance to go to University, improve your English and try to get a part-time job where you will gain customer service experience. Another option might be to try and get a job with an airline in India where the entry age is lower and then apply to Emirates when you are 21.
Good luck whatever you decide to do
Pauline x
Hi ,
My name is Bikramjit Singha(male). I am currently working as a Guest service associate at Front Office with HILTON HOTELS AND RESORTS in India. I have a keen desire to become a cabin crew and i am currently 28 years old. Am I Too old to apply for Emirates or any other international airlines?
If not then kindly advice me how to get a break in such international airlines.And if possible please let me know when Emirates is going to hire for cabin crew positions in India this year.
Hi Bikramjit
You are not too old to apply to Emirates or other international airlines. I write a blog which covers topics around airline recruitment including a detailed post on the Emirates recruitment process – hopefully you will find that useful.
You can read my blog at
Good luck
Pauline x
Hi, I’m Berenice Batchar from Ghana and I’ll be 17 in June. I’m currently in high school. I want to a fly emirate or an air hostess when I’m older, please I want to know what to study in university and how to start when I have completed the University to become a fly emirate or an air hostess.
Hi Berenice
Languages are always useful so you might want to consider that for University. What is probably more important is that you do a job (even a part-time job whilst studying at University) that will help you gain customer service experience- this is vital for Emirates. When you have completed University and are 21 you can simply apply via the Emirates Career Portal website.
Good luck
Pauline x
Hey my I am a female I want to apply for cabin crew nd my height is 155 cms will they prefer?
Hi Naina
It depends on the airline however every airline will specify their minimum height requirements on the recruitment page of their website.
Good luck
Pauline x
Hey Pauline,
I have a quick question….What other airlines (aside from Emirates) offer living accommodations, I tried to google it but it does not show an actual list just redirects you to reviews on indeed that do not necessarily mention if living accommodation are provided by the airlines.
Thank you,
Hi Loyalty- the only ones I am aware of are Qatar and Eithad 🙂
Hi
I complete uni in April and want to know if I can start applying for a cabin crew role now in January or have to wait till April.
Hi Ritz
If you finish in April I would start preparing now and then start submitting applications in February. Hopefully you’ll get called to an assessment day at the time when your course finishes in April. Just one thing you need to consider, if you have a lot of outstanding work at Uni before April then completing airline applications may be a distraction (it’s a lot of work) and you should consider delaying your application util your finish your course.
Whatever you decide to do I wish you good luck.