Air hostess life in Dubai

Think the jet-set career of a flight attendant sounds glamorous? Time Out went behind the scenes to discover the reality 24 Comments

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Believe it or not, the first ‘air host’ was actually a man. Heinrich Kubis from Germany was chief steward aboard the nation’s zeppelins from 1912 onwards; women were only introduced to the role in the 1930s. At first, female flight attendants were compared to nurses: some airlines employed only those with previous nursing experience. It wasn’t until the ’60s and ’70s that companies such as Pan-Am began to use the looks and charisma of their flight attendants as a selling point. Singapore Airlines still promotes its ‘Singapore Girls’ today.

Post 9/11 and today’s in-flight staff receive specific anti-terrorism training, learning how to protect passengers from other passengers as much as from unexpected technical problems. But flight attendants still have one of the most unique lifestyles in the world, darting between continents at a moment’s notice, surviving constant jetlag, dealing with us at our most cramped and useless, all while trying to keep up steady friendships and family life.

Nearly 11,000 Emirates cabin crew, spanning 128 nationalities, are based in Dubai. They have their own club nights, fitness companies, apartment blocks and discounts for bars and salons. As a result, flight attendants have earned themselves a reputation: known for being attractive and outgoing, with a zest for life – the kind who work crazy hours travelling, yet still find time to socialise on their return. We asked two Emirates cabin crew flatmates to keep a diary for a week, to find out whether their lifestyle is truly fabulous – or super strenuous.

By Becky Lucas
Time Out Dubai, 15 September 2010

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User reviews:

Posted by: humaira on 06 May ' 13 at 13:36

Edited by TimeOutDubai.com

aida the age for emirates is 21 I want to work on etihad at 18 but its 21 I'm only 11

Posted by: Sana baloch on 31 Jul ' 12 at 16:36

Hellow....i also like to become an airhostess in dubai ,please some one tell me the requirements of dubai airhostess and i love this job to my heart.

Posted by: imar on 23 Jun ' 12 at 09:14

Edited by TimeOutDubai.com

I LOVE TO BE AN AIR HOSTESS SINCE I WAS A CHILD BUT DUE TO MY PARENTS WAS UNABLE TO GO FOR IT. IS THERE NOW ANY CHANCES FOR ME TO WORK FOR EMIRATES AS AN AIR HOSTESS?? I AM DIVORCED BUT PROBLEM COMES IS MY AGE AM MIDDLEAGE WOMAN. I AM 5' 4"" TALL GOOD BODY AND BEAUTIFUL AND VERY SMART IN MY WORK. I REALLY NEED THIS JOB. PLEASE HELP OR GUIDE ME

Posted by: Eternal on 29 Jan ' 12 at 08:21

Taryn's comment to Jason. WOWWWW. Hahaha. Loved it. My mom's going to be a flight attendant in a few months and I'm really exited for her! By the way she's not dumb either...

So yeah, really. It's okay if you've had a horrible experience with one, but seriously, go write about it in your journal or something. :)

Posted by: Bahar on 13 Oct ' 11 at 09:33

Hello everyone
does anyone know if Emirates care about Iranian Nationality or not!?
I'm a bit worried for that cuz I saw only ONCE an Iranian cabin crew!
I'd really love to work for Emirates but I have no idea if my Iranian Nationality can cause me problems or not!

Posted by: flor on 11 Sep ' 11 at 08:39

i love my job, yes it has bad moments as every job, but when you are landing and those passengers tell you out of the blue " thank you for the good service " then you feel you did things right. I just came back from uganda, where i did nothing cause we arrived with 2 hours delay and then it was raining all night, etc but anyway i enjoyed so much my flights, meeting the ugandan people so joyful and friendly, talking to these people that if i was still living in my country and with a normal job i would have never met and known that thank you in ugandan is "webale" haha. Right now i have 4 days off and then im off to LA, and then i have 7 days off which i plan to use to go to greece on mini vacation with a friend, and then i will be off to new york.
All im saying is if you only see the bad size, of course u will hate the job but u have to focus in the positive things, and thats when u really enjoy it and u fear the moment when u have to quit and go back to reality...

Posted by: stella on 29 Jul ' 11 at 23:21

what's the age limit on becoming an air hostess?

Posted by: Aida on 04 Jul ' 11 at 21:56

Good article !!!

Posted by: tasha on 27 Jun ' 11 at 13:16

Great to hear the life of Air Hostesses from all Congrats guys ,chill...except from Irvinee Zainal.
Poor sentences and so boring!!!!!....

Posted by: Chris on 22 May ' 11 at 03:39

Very poor article..i dont think time out went "behind the scenes to find out the reality" hahah hilarious title

Posted by: Taryn on 24 Apr ' 11 at 09:04

I would like to direct my comment at 'Jason'.
I am cabin crew, | am educated and I am intelligent - the fact that I look good in a skin tight uniform, regardless of whether I wear makeup or no makeup, is not my fault. (I sense your jealousy.......not to worry, there's no reason why you can't wear skin tight clothes and makeup if you so badly wish!)
My job encompasses the following: to provide the safest possible environment for both myself and my passengers, I'm a glorified waitress, as well as a medical first responder - what do you do 'Jason'?

Let me give you something to think about 'Jason':
You're on a plane and there's a rapid decompression at L3 door, you..... and I'm referring to you, 'Jason', begin to panic and start screaming and crying because there's debris flying around you, passengers are hysterical, you saw a poor woman being literally 'sucked' through the gaping whole in the aircraft fuselage, it's freezing cold and you can't speak or breathe normally.................you would be a naive fool to think that the 'brainless' cabin crew (as we are referred too) would not be the ones helping you in that situation.

Point yourself out on my next flight and I'll make sure to avoid helping you in an emergency because obviously you're capable of dealing with anything at 35 000 feet, including your ego.

The fact that your relationship with a fellow cabin crew ended, is again, not my fault. The point I'm trying to make is, if you're as educated and intelligent as you're making yourself out to be, then you should know that it's bad to 'generalise'............can you spell that? Let me help you....'G-E-N-E-R-A-L-I-S-E'. Got it??

Anyhoo, I've said enough and I have to go pack because I'm flying to Munich, where I'll be spending a wonderful 24hrs of sipping on tasty german beer, munching on glorious german cuisine and wondering the beautiful streets of Munchen!!
(for a lack of understanding of any vocabulary I have used in this comment, go to the following link for clarification: http://dictionary.reference.com/

Just to assist you for your future reference and benefit, the 'brainless, stupid-dumb-blonde' air hostess thingy (that is me), just wanted to bring all your grammar mistakes to your attention.

'Been (BEING) a (AN) airhostess (THE WORD YOU WANT IS ACTUALLY CABIN CREW) damages braincells (,) as every time you fly you loose a cell . That(')s why when ever (WHENEVER) the airhostess (I DON'T THINK YOU KNEW WHAT THE PLURAL OF AIRHOSTESS IS SO YOU JUST KEPT USING THE SINGULAR FORM) are in trouble with the law(,) in uae (,) they cannot give statements as there (THEY'RE) brain dead ... lol (JUST CHECKING THAT YOU KNOW WHAT 'LOL' STANDS FOR - LET ME KNOW IF YOU REQUIRE ASSISTANCE)... I used to date one .. You all think your (YOU'RE) supermodels and actress (ACTRESSES,) when all you are is (,ARE) waitresses caked in makeup ..(.) Get over yourselves (,) come back to planet earth (WHY? WE FLY FOR A LIVING TO GET AWAY FROM IT!) ... Air waitresses(LOL) are a Nobody girls (THIS SENTENCE IS SO BADLY PUT TOGETHER, I'VE LOST HOPE AT THIS POINT!) and boys drill that into you brain oooppps you dont have one ........'
(HOW OLD ARE YOU?)

If English isn't you're first language, type the comment in your mother tongue before you embarress yourself like this again. And the answer is 'yes', english is not my mother tongue. Toodles!

Posted by: Jana on 17 Apr ' 11 at 14:48

Hello, I would like to became air hostesse. Can somebody possibly give me any advice what is the best to do the at the start? Thank u

Posted by: ZS on 12 Apr ' 11 at 19:26

Its nice feeling to be part of award winning airline and must know that anything good comes with big price tag. Life@cabin look cool but after personally communicating with crew found out.... its good til you are single when no commitments are attached to you... Sao Paulo, Perth, LA, JFK, HK, yes ACC, DKR, ADD cum EBB, hell route CAI,BOM, DEL, looks okay knowing one time/one day you will back to so called heaven in desert. but after certain age when you feel and came to know the meaning of life and importantly those who spend that hard earned flash bucks in zinc for 50 % off face card deals.... comes in front... trust me calculator becomes your biggest enemy.....

No offence to any person.... Start slow, enjoy before airline suck you and your real life get a degree done not just high school and explore grounded world will be best option like some smarties have done!!!

Being a proud frequent flyer, I just die and like one thing in above 38000 ft life........ that moment when you see day and night together outside the window.... I swear that cost millions to me than flashy hotel and cozy airport lounges....cant predict ground life.... but one day as what goes up and come down one day..... but will never forger EK showed me new aircrafts like A330, A340, 777, A380

A small time true EK flyer but not a crew member.... know EK more than EK know me..

Posted by: Noel on 28 Dec ' 10 at 06:58

Must say I enjoyed Sunitha's comments more than the article!

Posted by: jason on 25 Dec ' 10 at 06:51

Been a airhostess damages braincells as every time you fly you loose a cell . Thats why when ever the airhostess are in trouble with the law in uae they cannot give statements as there brain dead ... lol... I used to date one .. You all think your supermodels and actress when all you are is waitresses caked in makeup .. Get over yourselves come back to planet earth ... Air waitresses are a Nobody girls and boys drill that into you brain oooppps you dont have one ........

Posted by: jade olayavr on 19 Dec ' 10 at 03:03

nice to read a crews story that happened in ADD/ACC/ABJ..because in my FB where I have so many CC friends, they only show pictures of their travels when they are in places like MAD,FCO,VCE,CDG....like theyve never been allocated for flights to LHE,PEW,KHI,BOM,DEL...FB really is only for the goody-goody side of life ..the not so goody goody stays hidden somewhere! but overall, the cc job may not seem so light after all BUT it pays good and thats what matters most!

Posted by: luxia on 18 Dec ' 10 at 19:50

joelle what are the horrible rules ?seriously i need some information about the job but there is no one to ask about it

Posted by: brightness on 12 Dec ' 10 at 14:07

Hi guys!!! Ifly to Dubai on the 10th of january in order to join the Emirates airline as a cabin crew. The truth is that i haven't made up my mind yet and i feel that with this job i'm not investing on my carreer. Though i feel the need to leave my country since i broke up with my mate and i want to get away. Do you think that geting this job is a good opportunity?

Posted by: Sunitha Joseph on 04 Dec ' 10 at 07:31

Firstly life as a cabin crew member gets evidently easier once you hit first class, its the stories of the days in economy and business class that would hit you the most for example.
My first flight ever out of the training college thinking, wow today i am one of those girls on the recruitment video who have been recruited for the most prestigous airline in the world.
when i am boarding there had been a seat which was double booked ( two ofthe same seat number) may I add this is rare from dubai but outstations i will not commenton ) I approach the gathered passengers and ask is everything ok??as at that time i didnt no what yet was the problem, to that the response was somewhat shocking... 'No you stupid f**king bitch its not !!! (that was a real wake up for me lol!), Another flight to africa a batchmate ( crew and enrolled with)and I were doining a flight together ( a very bubbly,amusing,camp steward) when a passenger wanted something, but not being from the same culture used his butter knife to prod him several times in the back to get his attention resulting in him running screaming through the cabin !this was actually the funniest thing i ever witnessed, i have been verbally abused for offering tea to someone, meal choice not available , just at random because they want a free upgrade, have been shown a gold card when we are 500 feet from the floor to use the toilet? been vomitted on just once, seen someone soil the floor with faeces, had a death on board, not to mention the british guy who got on board with an accent that resembled prince phillips .... 13 scotch an sodas later started speaking in full indian accent passed out and pee'd his pants .very classy doctor! , there is the Another main issue, the handful of psychotic crew members, sometimes the passengers are the most amazing people you will ever meet, however when u get into that briefing room ur one prayer no matter what culture you are is that the crew arent absolute psychos! sometimes you get in that room and you think you know I havent had a bad one in a while I know theres one due for sure! if you get one make sure they dont make a bee line for you! these crazy steward/ess's mostly seniors sfs or purser have a way of dealing with there 'team' its to scare and intimidate the sh** out of them or they will brag how laid back they are and become engulfed with rage mid flight because there were only 3 glasses on the tray in the service standard booklet and theres 4!!!!! and No matter how much you love the job you cannot deny this fact.

When you get the perfect combination of nice friendly passengers and amazing crew it brings back to you the will to go on and stay in this job role.

May I also add that we as cabin crew are trained Primarily for the saftey of ourselves and customers we have been through extensive training which is updated annually , wether it be a a medical emergency or more severe emergency, we deserve to be treated with respect by our customers. One day you might need us for more than your chicken of beef choice.

Posted by: Michelle on 24 Nov ' 10 at 08:28

This article was really bland.. and I was quite excited to read it when I saw the title!!

Posted by: Ja Bea on 18 Nov ' 10 at 04:21

Joelle, its not that bad.. Or may be I'm one of those people who doesnt complain. Happy to do my job and get paid at the end of the month. It is a tough job really.. its either you love it or hate it. (well it you hate it, Quit! cos thousands other people wants this job) I love the challenge we face onboard. Unruly, intoxicated passengers, medical as well as vegatirian meal issues that we have to deal with..just love it.
I'm glad I have this job, and for the past 17years as air hostess..still enjoying it. So come everyone.. join us!

Posted by: Malen on 16 Nov ' 10 at 05:42

Believe me it or not, it is not as glamourous as it looks or as it you make is sound :-)

It is so difficult doing turn around flights that even if you have those parties to attend to and lots of friends to socialize with...you ended up curling in your bed to sleep.

Posted by: Joelle on 10 Nov ' 10 at 12:30

Well Viren you are extremely wrong, since air hostesses is one of the worst jobs and I can assure you that it's not enjoying at all especially when your company puts a lot of horrible rules that you would cause you a lot of stress all the time!
so anyone who wants to become a crew for emirates please think twice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Viren Narkar on 03 Nov ' 10 at 08:40

Great to hear the life of Air Hostesses in Dubai. They are really enjoying a lot.

Cheers