Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, based in Abu Dhabi. For Etihad careers, start at careers.etihad.com, the site linked from the Careers link on etihad.com. Applying is free, and every real Etihad job is listed there.
What is Etihad Airways?
Etihad’s website calls itself “the national airline of the United Arab Emirates” and says it flies “from our home in Abu Dhabi”. So most Etihad jobs are in Abu Dhabi, not Dubai. Some are at stations in other countries, so read the location on each job.
How do I apply on the Etihad careers site?
The job list opens on SmartRecruiters, the system Etihad uses for applications. It is linked from careers.etihad.com itself, so it is the real one.
- Go to etihad.com, scroll to the footer and click Careers under “About Us”.
- Choose a team: Cabin Crew, Pilots, Corporate or UAE Nationals.
- Click Explore opportunities to open the full job list at careers.smartrecruiters.com/EtihadAirways5.
- Open a job, check the city, and apply with your CV.
- Track what you sent under My Profile, or join the talent community if nothing fits.
What do I need to become Etihad cabin crew?
The official cabin crew page lists these requirements, word for word:
- “Minimum age of 21 at the time of application.”
- “Minimum height of 163 cm.”
- “High school graduate (Grade 12 or equivalent).”
- “Fluent in English, written and spoken.”
- “No visible tattoos while wearing the Etihad cabin crew uniform (cosmetic or bandage coverings are not permitted).”
- “Comfortable working irregular hours on a roster basis.”
Etihad also has Style and Image Guidelines covering business attire, grooming, visible tattoos, scars and birthmarks. Read them before any event. The page does not mention arm reach or swimming, so we have left those out.
How the assessment day works
First you complete the “Cabin Crew Worldwide online application”. The page says: “If your application stands out, we’ll invite you to one of our Cabin Crew Assessment Days.” On the day you can expect:
- Interactive group activities
- Aptitude and English language assessments
- A final interview
Etihad says it “isn’t affiliated with any Cabin Crew or Flight Attendant academies”. Students from academies may apply, but no academy can promise you an Etihad job. The page lists “Three year renewable contracts”, “A home in Abu Dhabi” and a “competitive, tax-free salary” as benefits. It does not publish a salary figure.
Can I just walk in to an Etihad recruitment event?
Do not just turn up. Etihad’s assessment days are invite-only. The cabin crew page shows a list of recruitment events, each with its own Register link. When we checked on 24 October 2026, the list included Abu Dhabi on 1 November 2026, plus events in Europe, Bangkok and Bali. None were listed in India, Pakistan, the Philippines or Africa at that time. Dates change, so check the page itself.
Pilots have their own roadshows on the pilots page. For walk-in interviews at other UAE companies, see our walk-in interview jobs page.
Which other jobs does Etihad hire for?
Based on the official job list, Etihad often hires for:
- Engineering and operations: B2 aircraft engineers, licensed aircraft engineers and fleet engineers in Abu Dhabi
- Overseas stations: station engineers and technicians for line maintenance, duty supervisors and cargo staff in cities outside the UAE
- Corporate: finance, HR, marketing, commercial, data and IT roles
- Pilots: the pilots page says that even if you don’t meet every criterion yet, you can “come along and register your interest” at a roadshow
The Cadet Pilot Programme (“Learn to fly and graduate as a Second Officer with Etihad Airways”) sits on the UAE Nationals page. It is meant for Emiratis, not for expat applicants.
Vacancies change often. A job you saw on social media may already be closed.
Is the Etihad salary published?
No. Etihad does not publish fixed salaries for cabin crew or other jobs. For pilots it lists the parts of the package (basic salary, flying pay, housing allowance, layover and meal allowances) but no amounts. Pay depends on the job, your experience and where you work. Figures on blogs and videos are guesses. Trust only your written offer, and check it with our guide on how to read a UAE job offer letter.
How do I spot a fake Etihad job offer?
Airline names are a favourite of scammers. Common tricks are a “visa fee”, a “training fee” or a paid “Etihad academy”. Protect yourself:
- Apply only through careers.etihad.com and the job list it links to.
- Never pay anyone for a job, interview, visa or training place.
- Be careful with offers from Gmail or Yahoo accounts, or on WhatsApp with no application from you.
- Check your application status in My Profile on the official portal, not through an “agent”.
Read our guide on how to spot fake job offers in the UAE for more warning signs.
Latest Etihad Airways jobs on UrgentJobsDubai
Quick answers
Is SmartRecruiters the real Etihad job site?
Yes. The job links on careers.etihad.com open Etihad’s page on SmartRecruiters.
Where are Etihad jobs based?
Mostly in Abu Dhabi, with some jobs at stations abroad. Check the city on each job.
Can a non-Emirati join the Etihad cadet pilot programme?
The cadet programme is listed under UAE Nationals programmes, so it is aimed at Emiratis.
Does Etihad charge for assessment days?
No fee is mentioned anywhere on the official site. If someone asks you for money, stop.
UrgentJobsDubai is not connected to Etihad Airways. Always apply through the company’s official channels. This is general information, not legal advice; check MOHRE or the official site for your case.
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