Etihad is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates. Just as Qatar Airways and Emirates, Etihad takes care of many things for you. Etihad, however, is not as big as Emirates and only exists since 2003. You will be provided a shared apartment in Abu Dhabi and you will be brought to and from the airport back to your apartment. However, you must not forget that this might interfere with your feelings of freedom to do whatever you like, invite whoever you like, whenever you like; as your employer might be able to check on you more easily. You have to work hard, but this will allow you to see many amazing places the world has to offer. Your colleagues come from all over the world and the corporate language is English.
Contract:
After completing your initial training course, you will receive a fixed term contract for three years, with a probation period of six months. After these three years, your contract might be prolonged.
Promotion/Career perspectives:
1. Cabin Crew FA (Economy Class)
After a minimum of 1-3 years:
2. Cabin Crew FJ (Business or First Class) or F&B Manager/Inflight Chef (See below)
After a minimum of 1-3 years:
3. Cabin Crew Senior (in charge of Economy Class on wide-body aircraft and of complete aircraft on narrow-body aircraft)
After a minimum of 1-3 years:
4. Cabin Manager (in charge of wide-body aircraft)
Besides the regular Cabin Crew career, you can also work on board as an Inflight Chef or Food & Beverage Manager. These two positions work in the galleys of the First Class (Infligh Chef) and Business Class (F&B Manager). You are responsible for the catering, food heating and preparation, wine recommendations, etc.
Salary / Wage:
The salary in the United Arab Emirates is tax free. The salary is based on both a basic salary and an hourly pay per flight hour. Your salary does not grow per year, but with every promotion. Due to sickness, standby or leave, the actual flying hours might be reduced. Normal flying hours are somewhere between 70-100 hours.
During your probation period (first six months), your basic salary will be 2500 Dirham (€505). After those six months, the basic salary will raise to 3640 Dirham (€735). The hourly pay is 44 Dirham (€9). So after six months, you will earn (with flying 80 hours a month) 7160 Dirham (€1445) tax free.
FJ Cabin Crew and F&B Managers earn a basic salary of 4750 Dirham (€957) plus hourly pay.
Including:
- Shared furnished apartment payed by Etihad
- Transportation to and from the airport before and after work
Excluding:
- Layover allowance that is paid per hour while you are staying at a foreign country (mostly around 12-16 Dirhams (€2-€3) per hour). This allowance comes with your salary (with a one month delay).
Home base:
- Abu Dhabi
Where you will stay after your working day:
- Sometimes you will stay at a hotel in another city or sometimes you return back to Abu Dhabi at the end of the day. Especially during the first months, you will mostly fly turnarounds (always returning back to Abu Dhabi).
Roster:
You fly across the entire world, operating on both long and short haul flights. Your roster is put together by giving you a minimum rest time after returning to Abu Dhabi. After that, you are able to fly again. You will fly around 70-100 (mostly 70-80) hours per month. On the right side, you will find an example roster.
Leave:
- You will receive 30 days of annual leave
- You will receive one free ticket per year to your country of origin
Initial Training Course:
- 6-7 Weeks
- You will receive your basic salary of 2500 Dirham (€505) from your first day in Abu Dhabi
More information on the Etihad website!
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