Emirates is hiring SA cabin crew. The dates, the pay and who qualifies
Emirates holds invite-only cabin crew recruitment days in Stellenbosch, Cape Town, Pretoria and Johannesburg in November 2026. Here are the dates, requirements, pay in rand and how to avoid fake offers.
Emirates will hold cabin crew recruitment days in four South African cities in November 2026: Stellenbosch, Cape Town, Pretoria and Johannesburg. All four are invite only, so you have to apply online first and wait for an invitation (Emirates Group Careers).
When and where are the Emirates recruitment days?
| City | Date | Start | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stellenbosch | Sunday, 1 November | 9am | Invite only |
| Cape Town | Tuesday, 3 November | 9am | Invite only |
| Pretoria | Tuesday, 10 November | 9am | Invite only |
| Johannesburg | Wednesday, 25 November | 9am | Invite only |
Source: Emirates Group Careers, upcoming recruitment events
Emirates has not published the venues. Those go to people who are invited. It also hasn't listed a closing date for applications, and with Stellenbosch only three days away, anyone hoping for an early slot should apply now. If your city isn't on the list, Emirates says you can apply online and it will let you know when it visits nearby (Emirates).
Who qualifies for Emirates cabin crew?
Emirates lists these minimum requirements (Emirates Group Careers):
- At least 21 years old
- At least 160cm tall and able to reach 212cm
- Matric (Grade 12) as a minimum
- At least one year of hospitality or customer service experience
- Fluent written and spoken English
- No visible tattoos while in uniform
- Able to meet the UAE's employment visa requirements
Extra languages count in your favour, but they aren't required.
How much do Emirates cabin crew earn?
New crew start at Grade II (Economy Class). Pay has three parts: a fixed basic salary, an hourly rate for flights operated, and a meal allowance for overseas night stops (Emirates).
| Pay item | Emirates figure | Roughly in rand |
|---|---|---|
| Basic salary | AED 4,980 a month | R22,560 |
| Flying pay | AED 69.60 an hour | R315 |
| Average monthly pay (80 to 100 flying hours) | AED 11,244 a month | R50,930 |
Source: Emirates pay and benefits. Rand amounts use the rate of R4.53 per dirham on 29 October 2026 (ExchangeRate-API) and will move with the exchange rate. Emirates calls its figures approximate.
On top of that, crew get free furnished shared accommodation with water and electricity included, transport to and from work, 30 days' leave a year with a return ticket home, medical and dental cover at Emirates clinics, and a lump sum at the end of the contract (Emirates).
What happens on the recruitment day?
The day starts with a briefing on the job and life in Dubai. Then come group activities and an online test at the venue, followed by a final interview for those who make it through (Emirates).
Bring a valid ID to get in. Emirates says that if you don't have a passport yet, a driver's licence or national ID is fine, and it will ask for a passport only if you're selected. Have these ready on your phone as digital copies:
- An up-to-date CV in English
- A copy of your matric or other education certificate
- A passport copy in PDF, if you have one
If you can't make the date you're invited to, reply to the invitation email and ask for another day. Emirates doesn't run online assessment days (Emirates FAQ).
What happens if you get the job?
Successful candidates move to Dubai for seven and a half weeks of training. It covers safety and emergency procedures, medical training, security, hospitality and the Emirates service routine on A380 and Boeing 777 mock-ups (Emirates training).
How do you spot a fake Emirates job offer?
Emirates says it never asks job applicants for money, including for travel, visas or work permits. It will never ask for your careers account password, and real messages come only from @emirates.com or @dnata.com addresses. Offers sent through WhatsApp, Gmail or other personal email accounts, or social media are likely fraudulent (Emirates recruitment fraud warning).
Apply only through the Emirates Group Careers cabin crew page.
FAQ
When is Emirates recruiting cabin crew in South Africa?
Emirates has invite-only recruitment days in Stellenbosch on 1 November, Cape Town on 3 November, Pretoria on 10 November and Johannesburg on 25 November 2026, all starting at 9am.
Can I walk in to the Emirates recruitment day in South Africa?
No. The South African events are invite only. You must apply online through Emirates Group Careers and receive an invitation first.
How much do Emirates cabin crew earn?
Emirates says new Grade II crew earn a basic AED 4,980 a month plus AED 69.60 per flying hour, averaging about AED 11,244 a month, roughly R50,900 at late-October 2026 exchange rates. Accommodation and transport are free.
What are the Emirates cabin crew requirements?
You must be at least 21, at least 160cm tall and able to reach 212cm, have matric, at least one year of hospitality or customer service experience, fluent English, no visible tattoos in uniform, and meet UAE visa requirements.
Does Emirates charge a fee to apply for cabin crew?
No. Emirates says it never asks applicants for money, including for travel, visas or work permits. Any offer asking for payment is fraudulent.