Image: Emirates Airlines
It is one of the most recognisable cabin crew uniforms in world, and now Emirates Airlines has said it has over 20,000 ‘dedicated’ cabin crew working for it as the airline continues to recruit.
Since 2022, the airline has hosted recruitment events in 340 cities across 6 continents – truly reflecting the diversity of its cabin crew team and the destinations it serves.
The Emirates cabin crew uniform has undergone four transformations in three decades, including a design by the legendary Spanish designer Paco Rabanne in 1997.
Two cabin crew who’ve worn most of these uniform variations include the airline’s longest serving cabin crew – a male Emirati purser who joined in 1987, and the longest serving female cabin crew, who joined the airline in 1994.
Moosa Mubarak, Emirati Purser and Emirates’ longest serving cabin crew, said: ‘I’ve flown as Emirates’ cabin crew for 36 years on over 3,500 flights. Even now, after all these years, I’m always keen and excited to start my duty onboard. Mentoring my crew colleagues and serving as an ambassador for Emirates and my country is what I am most proud of. I have had a long and successful career, incredible experiences and have made mind-blowing memories doing exactly what I love.’
Diverse team
The airline employs a diverse team representing over 140 nationalities with 130 languages spoken.
Many crew members have long been a part of Emirates’ growth story with over 4,000 crew serving between 5–9 years; close to 3,000 serving between 10–14 years; over 1,500 crew serving 15–19 years; and some 400 crew members having crossed the milestone of 20 years of service. Three crew members have been with the airline for more than 30 years.
Career progression opportunities for cabin crew include upgrading to a higher cabin, becoming a cabin supervisor, trainer or purser. Today the airline has over 1,100 pursers who have moved through the ranks from junior cabin crew, after successfully completing rigorous training and assessments.
All new cabin crew undergo an intense eight weeks of training in hospitality, safety and service delivery in Emirates’ state-of-the-art facility in Dubai.
