Join the largest operator of Airbus A380 and Boeing 777
Fly one of the world’s most modern fleet of 255+ wide-bodied aircraft to more than 150 destinations around the globe
Our roles
Learn more about requirements and benefits each role offers
A380 Direct Entry Captains
Are you a technically proficient commander with experience on a modern wide body aircraft who aims to deliver excellence?
Learn more
Accelerated Command
For motivated Captains who would like the opportunity to fly a modern wide body aircraft worldwide
Learn more
Requirements
To become one of our A380 Captains, you will need a minimum of 7000 hrs total flying time multi- crew, multi- engine (only time in the operating seat of a turboprop and/or turbojet aircraft can be counted; not simulator time).
On top of this you will need to have:
This is a unique opportunity for you to join as an A380 First Officer on an enhanced salary package with an accelerated command upgrade scenario. You will need to operate the right hand seat for a minimum of 700 stick hours and complete two Pilot Proficiency Checks (PPC's). Assuming you meet the standards and display the required level of performance, you will then be eligible for accelerated command via an assessment process and an upgrade course.
Requirements
To qualify for this opportunity, you will need to have a minimum of 6000 hours on multi-crew, multi-engine aircraft.
Additional Requirements:
Requirements
To qualify for this opportunity, you will need a minimum of 2000 hours on Airbus FBW or modern Boeing type
Education Benefit
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Education
Hear from our pilots
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Job specifics
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Benefits
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Life in Dubai
Frequently asked questions
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What is the current selection process and how long does it take?
The current selection process is held in two stages.
Stage one is held remotely and consists of a short HireVue video interview, psychometrics testing, abstract reasoning testing, and a live digital panel interview.
Stage two is held in Dubai over a two-day period and consists of simulator assessments, Advanced Compass, and Emirates medical assesment.
You would also need to allow for a day’s travel on either side. -
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Do I have to pay to travel to Dubai for my assessment?
We provide you and your legal spouse with a return Economy Class ticket (upgradable to Business Class subject to availability) to Dubai from your nearest destination in the Emirates network. -
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Do I have to provide certified logbooks for assessment?
Yes, you must provide complete certified logbook records when you’re invited for the assessment. This can either be a stamp in your logbook from your fleet manager or chief pilot verifying your hours flown, or a stamped original letter from the fleet department of your airline or authority. -
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If my application is shortlisted, is it possible to defer my assessment?
You can email Pilot Recruitment at pilotrecdxb@emirates.com if you want your application to be considered at a later date. However, if you have accepted your scheduled assessment and then declined with less than a week’s notice, your application may be closed subject to specific circumstances. -
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If I am not successful in the assessment, can I reapply?
If you are eligible, we will email you the timeframes and relevant details for your reapplication. -
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If I am selected and have a bond with my current airline, will Emirates pay the remainder of the bond?
No, you will need to pay. -
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What is the duration of the contract of employment?
Unless otherwise stated, the contract of employment is permanent and open (no fixed duration). -
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What is the probation period?
The probation period is six months from your date of joining. -
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How does the Emirates training bond apply?
The training bond for first officers and captains is USD 42,000. The bond applies to flight crew on passenger fleet for 42 months. -
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If I fail my pre-employment medical at the assessment stage, will I be told the reason?
This is at the discretion of the company. -
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Why are the HIV, hepatitis B and TB tests required?
This is a mandatory government formality to secure a residence visa. -
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Do I need to be fully vaccinated to attend a Pilot assessment in Dubai?
Yes, you need to be fully vaccinated with a WHO approved vaccine to travel to Dubai.
Selection Process
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When can I expect to be upgraded to captain?
Our current company criteria is as follows:
- Minimum 6,000 hours total time
- Minimum 2,500 hours actual time in an operating seat (stick time) must have been completed on the Emirates aircraft type you plan to upgrade on.
- Minimum four years in Emirates
- Possession of a valid UAE ATPL
- Minimum of 6 EBT modules successfully completed on any Emirates fleet
- The minimum age to commence the command course is 30
- Note: Total Time is defined as flying as P1 and/or P2, excluding single and multi-engine piston
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If I am selected, how is my fleet type decided?
While we take into account your past experience and preference, this won’t always determine the fleet type. Allocation is based solely on our operational requirements. -
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Can I change fleets?
Yes, you can ask or volunteer for transfer, but only when our operational requirements deem it necessary. The transfer will be based on seniority. -
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How does the rostering system work?
The rostering system is a rotating cycle, so each group becomes the top priority for bidding every five months.
Within the groups there is a seniority list. However, you have a stronger chance of getting the duties you ask for when you are in the top most group. Bid preferences include: destination, regions, days off, pairing length and check-in time among others.
A reserve month (where no duties are scheduled) is usually rostered for each group approximately every 10 months for a duration of 35 days, which will be allocated to the bottom bid groups. -
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How long are the flight duties and sectors in Emirates?
The sectors range from 50 minutes to 17 hours. -
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How long is a layover duty?
Layover trips generally range from 24 hours to 72 hours. The maximum time away from base is nine days. -
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Is it possible to leave Dubai when I have days off?
Yes, you can travel away from Dubai on your days off. -
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Am I entitled to take any leave during the probation period (first six months)?
No, only after your first six months. However, special cases will be considered. -
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Are there other career development opportunities within Emirates?
Pilots can apply for available vacancies in our training, safety and flight operations units.
Pilot Career
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How are stopover allowances paid?
Stopover allowances apply at all layover locations and are normally paid one month later with your monthly salary. -
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How many days off will I get in a month?
All crew members have a minimum of seven days off in any consecutive 28 days, and at least eight days off in each consecutive 30 day period, averaged over three such periods. These figures will be allotted in relation to periods of leave. -
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How much leave will I be entitled to and how do I apply for it?
You will be entitled to 42 days leave a year. During the course of the calendar year under UAE law you must be granted a minimum of 30 days annual leave. Leave is allocated by a bidding system through the Flight Crew Portal. The allocation depends on when you last took leave and on your fleet seniority. -
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Do I pay tax on my salary?
Your salary is tax free in Dubai. Please check the income taxation laws in your home country in case you’re eligible to pay tax. -
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When do we get pay rises? Are annual increments guaranteed?
The company reviews salaries every year and may award pilots an incremental rise in salary or a percentage increase, subject to satisfactory performance. However this payment is not contractual. -
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What is the Provident Scheme and the End of Service Benefit (EOSB)?
Provident Scheme
As a condition of your employment, you will be required to take part in the Provident Scheme, subject to the scheme rules and qualifying period. The company will automatically enroll you after six months of joining.
You will contribute 5% of your monthly basic salary into the Provident Fund.
Emirates will contribute 12% of your monthly basic salary to the Provident Fund during your first ten years of service. After completing 10 years of service, Emirates will contribute 15% of your monthly basic salary into the Fund, Provided.
The vesting periods (the amount of time you must have worked at Emirates before you fully own the shares) are set out in the scheme rules: 75% of the A account (company contribution) after three years but less than five years of scheme membership, 100% of the A account after five years of scheme membership.
End-of-Service Benefits
You will be guaranteed a minimum End-of-Service payment of 21 days’ basic salary a year for the first five years of service, and then 30 days’ basic salary a year for each year of service thereafter.
You will receive either your Provident Scheme A account or the End of Service Benefit (EOSB), whichever has the higher value, but not both.
All GCC nationals will be enrolled in their respective pension schemes.
Upon termination of employment, you will be entitled to the following benefits:
Less than three years’ service: You receive the Provident Scheme benefit accumulated on your contributions as an employee only, plus your End of Service Benefit, calculated at 21 days’ basic salary for every year of service.
Over three years’ service and less than five years’ service: You receive the Provident Scheme benefit accumulated on your contributions as an employee, plus: 75% of the A account value (the company’s contribution), or your End of Service Benefit (whichever is higher). This is calculated at 21 days’ basic salary a year for the first five years of service, and then 30 days’ basic salary a year for each year of service thereafter.
More than five years’ service: You receive the Provident Scheme benefit accumulated on your contribution as an employee, plus: 100% of the A account value (the company’s contribution) or your End of Service Benefit (whichever is higher), calculated at 21 days’ basic salary a year for the first five years of service, then 30 days’ basic salary a year for each year of service thereafter.
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How does the profit share work?
If the company reaches its profit target, employees receive a profit share payment in May. The amount varies from year to year and has ranged from two to 14 weeks of basic salary.
You must be employed for the complete period from 1 April – 31 March to be eligible for the full profit share payment. If you join after the 31 March and before 30 September you are entitled to a pro rata amount.
If you join after 30 September you will have to wait until the end of the next financial year to be eligible for the profit share. -
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What is the Exchange Rate Protection scheme?
Expatriate pilots, irrespective of nationality, grade or position, are covered by the Exchange Rate Protection (ERP) scheme (except for the USA as the dirham is tied to the dollar).
The ERP scheme provides reasonable protection if you are adversely affected by exchange rate fluctuations to the currency of your home country. Under the ERP Scheme, 50% of the net basic salary you receive each month is protected. -
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Do I need to open a UAE bank account?
Yes, as your salary is paid monthly in local currency. -
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Do I get transportation allowance?
No, the company provides transportation to/from work and to/from training college, within Dubai. -
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Do Emirates provide medical and dental benefits to the employee and their dependant family?
We cover you and your dependant family members in the UAE and worldwide as a benefit of your employment.
You are covered free of charge, and you pay a nominal monthly amount to cover your spouse and children. -
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Is there a pre-joining medical check for families?
Your dependants will need to attend an initial dental check upon joining to assess any pre-existing conditions. But otherwise, your dependants (husband or wife, and children below the age of 19) will be automatically registered in the scheme. You need to submit a declaration of health for each dependant, plus the birth certificates of your children and your marriage certificate. -
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How can I find out whether a pre-existing condition is covered by the medical scheme?
The final decision is taken by our chief medical officer and we’ll let you know before you join. As with all insurance companies, there is an exclusion list and a pre-existing condition is normally excluded for the first six months of employment. You can discuss any concerns during the assessment process. -
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What if I am sick for more than 15 days?
If you are absent due to sickness, accident or industrial injury, your absence must be supported by a medical certificate issued by a company doctor. Full basic salary will be paid for up to 52 weeks (this applies after you complete your initial six months’ of employment). -
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Am I covered by Emirates for loss of licence?
The company insures all flight crew upto 36 months basic salary (depending on age), against permanent loss of licence arising from an accident or sickness.
Full details can be found in the Employee Handbook upon joining the company.
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Can you explain the staff travel benefits?
You’re eligible to apply for ID50 firm tickets for you and your family from your date of joining. ID90 ticket eligibility starts three months after you join.
Your spouse and children up to age of 23 are entitled to unlimited concessional tickets.
You also have 15 Wider Eligibility Tickets a year for your extended family, which become available six months after you join.
Contractually you and your immediate family are entitled to one confirmed return annual leave ticket free of charge.
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Do I get an education allowance for my children?
Yes, we offer an education support allowance subject to company policy. This is available for up to three children aged between 4 and 19 who are in full time education either in Dubai or overseas:
- Primary school: up to AED 42,750 per child
- Secondary school: up to AED 65,250 per child
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Does the education allowance for our children cover all costs?
We contribute towards the tuition and transport fees for up to three children aged 4 to 19. You can choose a school, but some schools may cost more than the allowance covers. -
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Can I also get the education allowance if my children study overseas?
For overseas education, we cover tuition fees up to the overall allowance limit, including school boarding. Other fees for things like books, transport, taxes and admission fees aren’t covered. -
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Is there an Emirates club I can join? If so, how much does it cost?
All our employees in the UAE can get an Emirates Platinum Card, which is a discount card you can use at over 600 shops, attractions, restaurants and more around Dubai. There’s an annual fee of AED 300, paid in monthly instalments deducted from your salary. You can also get one extra card for free for a registered dependant.
There is also a Premium Club Membership that costs around AED 140 a month. This gives you and your family access to fitness and leisure facilities at selected clubs in Dubai.
Pay & benefits
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If my family remains in my home country, is it possible for me to commute?
No, we don’t provide this option for flight crew. All our pilots are based in Dubai. -
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Where will I live in Dubai?
Emirates are currently providing company accommodation in a three or four-bedroom villa based on space and availability. These villas are located in various Emirates Group properties across Dubai, and are assigned regardless of marital status and whether you have children. If you live in company accommodation, Emirates will cover the cost of utilities and municipality taxes. Free local landline calls are also available.
You can decorate the interior of your assigned company accommodation as long as you restore it to its original condition upon vacating the property. Pets are also allowed.
Although Emirates does not offer insurance for housing or personal property, it does have excellent relationships and deals with insurance companies should you need it.
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When can my family join me in Dubai?
As soon as you join Emirates, we will start the application process for your residence visa. This can take up to two weeks. Once you have your residence visa, you can then apply for your family's visas. This process can take up to 10 days. We will provide you with flight tickets for your family once their visas are approved. If you choose to travel to Dubai with your family before we can process your residence visa, you will need to cover the cost of changing your family's visit visas to residence visas. -
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Who pays for the visas for my spouse and children?
Once your family’s residence visa has been approved and processed, we cover the cost and issue you with tickets to fly your family (for up to three children) to Dubai.
If you travel with your family at the start of your contract, you’ll need to cover their expenses including travel and visit visas. There’s also a cost for changing a visit visa into a residence visa, and your family may need to leave the country while the new one is processed. -
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Can my spouse work in Dubai?
Yes. There are no visa restrictions on your husband or wife working in Dubai. -
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Is there a waiting list for schools?
Yes, for some schools there is a waiting list and in some cases the list is quite long. Many schools offer Emirates families priority enrolment.
We’ll give you a list of school contacts in Dubai before you join and you can make the arrangements. -
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Is there a school bus or do we have to drive our children to school?
Most schools provide transport. The costs can be covered by the education support allowance. -
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Can my children start school halfway through the year?
Yes, if the school allows it. However, children can’t start school after 30 April as the school year ends in June. -
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Is it easy to hire a home assistant?
Yes, you can hire domestic help through an agency. This employee will be under your sponsorship and you need to pay the fees. You can complete their visa forms and submit the documents to the Emirates Service Centre and the team will help you with the process. -
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How do I get a liquor licence?
Check the MMI website for the documents you need:
http://www.mmidubai.com/retail/#retail_licence
You can get a salary certificate letter from the Employee Service Centre, 2nd floor Atrium level at Emirates Group Headquarters, or use the employee service machines. Then visit a liquor store to submit your application and documents.
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What is the procedure for obtaining a UAE driving licence?
If you have a driving license issued in Europe, North America, Australasia or countries in the GCC, you can exchange it for a UAE driving license without taking a driver's test. Otherwise, you will need to register for lessons with a private driving school in Dubai and take a test. You can refer to the RTA portal for more details.
Living in the UAE