Emirates is consistently ranked among the world's best airlines and is generally considered one of the most luxurious.
So it comes as no surprise that the Dubai-based carrier only hires a fraction of the approximately 144,000 applicants it gets for its cabin crew each year, which consists of only around 22,000 people. Getting this coveted gig — which includes free housing in Dubai and super discounted tickets — is no easy feat.
Getting a flight attendant job at Emirates is tough, but getting to work first class is even tougher, according to one flight attendant
Siti Nurazlin, from Singapore, worked her way up from short-haul flights in economy to working first class. She told Business Insider in an interview that it takes about two years in economy before getting to move up to business, and another two years before working first class. She says that the "very motivated" can become flight pursers — essentially the flight's chief flight attendant — in another five years.
The 31-year-old has worked for Emirates since 2009, having met the minimum qualifications of being over 21, at least 5'2'' (with an arm's reach of 7 feet on tiptoes to reach the overhead bins), being fluent in English, and having at least a high-school degree.
Once she got the job, she was flown to Dubai to go through eight weeks of training, which Nurazlin called "intense but fun," describing the curriculum as everything from "delivering great service to delivering babies if we have to."
She also described a simulator that helps cabin crew practice what to do in the case of everything from fighting a fire to dealing with a hijacking, as well as practicing opening the planes' doors and using the inflatable slides.
Nurazlin said that when she applied she wasn't entirely aware of the breadth that her responsibilities would span. "I thought it was quite glamorous at first, and I wouldn't really have to learn all this much. I knew I had to do some things, but not this extensive," she said.
"It's not just being waiters or waitresses in the air. We are trained in so many different aspects like safety, security," she said. "If something happens on board, we're the first people [passengers] look to with everything, from something being lost in the aircraft to a fire. The role is extensive."
In fact, Emirates' cabin crew is trained in restraint techniques, though Nurazlin says that this is only used as a "last resort."
Flight attendants must also look the part, she says
Diamond or pearl stud earrings are allowed, but no necklaces, according to Nurazlin. Makeup must be kept natural, though she says "eyeliner and mascara is a must" as well as "Emirates red lipstick." She also said nails can have a nude or red polish or a French manicure, and there are only two approved hairstyles: a French twist or a bun.
Meanwhile, Nurazlin said male flight attendants must be clean-shaven and use minimal hair product, and no one can have tattoos visible when in uniform.
In fact, flight attendants get a day of skincare and makeup training, according to Nurazlin.
Hours can be long and no two weeks look the same
Nurazlin works an average of nine flights a month. According to her, cabin crew gets to bid for flights about a month in advance — if they're lucky and their bids get accepted, they get to fly where they want to.
"Our schedule comes out every middle of the month, and we get really excited to see where we are flying to and who we're flying with. And if you don't like a destination, I've heard you could trade," she explained.
While her schedule changes weekly, she says her flights can last anywhere up to 16 hours. She estimates that she's on her feet for about 11 hours of a 16-hour flight, though she says she does get breaks.
"The job is quite challenging, physically, so we need to maintain our physique and also be quite fit," she said. However, she prefers the long-haul flights because they mean getting a day off before and after, which she usually spends exploring her destination.
She says that the hardest part of the job, however, is being away from her family a lot of the time, and working odd hours. Jet lag is also no picnic, she says, but combats it by keeping to whatever time zone she's in.
"I try to keep to the time where I am and just sleep when it's night there instead of sleeping whenever I want. I try to go out if it's daytime and sleep when it's night."
But perks are a-plenty
Despite the long hours and physical toll, the perks of the job are many. Nurazlin's favorite is the discounted tickets: "They're really, really good, and we get them for our families and friends as well."
She adds that the best part of her job is the travel, naturally, and estimates that she's been to over 100 cities with Emirates.
"I don't think I would ever [have traveled] to all these exotic places that we fly within the Emirates network," she said.
- Read more:
- See the secret airplane bedrooms where flight attendants sleep on long-haul flights
- Vintage photos show how glamorous flying used to be
- 18 things flight attendants wish you would stop doing
- A former flight attendant told us the most ridiculous things passengers have used the call button to ask
