Working for the Emirates: a Dream of Many Pilots
Emirates is known for hiring international pilots from various countries and backgrounds. Almost all passports are accepted. Flying with Emirates, one of the world’s most prestigious airlines, is not just a job; it’s a career that offers unmatched prestige, advantages, and benefits. The allure of piloting for Emirates stems from its reputation as a global leader in the aviation industry, its modern fleet, and its hub at the crossroads of the world, Dubai.
Being a pilot for Emirates is synonymous with prestige. This Dubai-based airline is renowned for its commitment to industry-leading standards, luxurious services, and a rapidly expanding network of global destinations. Pilots who wear the Emirates uniform carry a badge of honor that represents excellence in aviation skills, safety, and passenger service. Pilots are part of a team that has won numerous awards from aviation bodies and consumer travel organizations. This recognition contributes significantly to the prestige of its pilots, who are regarded as among the best-trained and most proficient in the industry.
Pilots at Emirates have opportunities to fly state-of-the-art aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and the latest versions of Boeing 777. These are some of the largest and most technologically advanced passenger aircraft in operation. The experience of handling such sophisticated jets enhances a pilot’s credentials and career prospects exponentially. Emirates serves over 150 destinations across six continents, offering pilots a chance to see the world. This extensive network exposes pilots to a variety of airspaces, weather conditions, and cultures, making their flying experience incredibly diverse and enriching.
The advantages of being an Emirates pilot extend beyond the cockpit. The airline offers a lifestyle and professional environment that is hard to match, influenced heavily by its location in Dubai, a vibrant cosmopolitan city known for its high quality of life and cultural diversity.
Needless to say that most qualified pilots with a full ICAO ATPL and at least 2000 hours on a jet, apply for employment with Emirates. But very few get in. This is because Emirates prefers pilots who hold ATPL licenses from the western countries and have work experience in the safety-oriented environment.
The Salary Breakdown
The salary of Emirates pilots varies significantly based on factors such as rank (e.g., Captain vs. First Officer), years of experience, and the type of aircraft they are qualified to fly. Below is a detailed analysis of the salary ranges and components for Emirates pilots, converted to USD for clarity.
Basic Salary
The base salary is the core of the pilot’s income and varies by position.
- First Officer: Typically starts from about $6,000 to $8,000 USD per month.
- Captain: More experienced pilots, such as Captains, can earn a basic salary ranging from $11,000 to $16,000 USD per month.
Housing Allowance
Emirates offers either a housing allowance or company-provided accommodation. The housing allowance can be substantial, approximately:
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- First Officer: Around $3,800 to $4,000 USD per month.
- Captain: Around $5,200 to $5,500 USD per month.
Additional Flight Per-diem
Pilots are paid additional allowances based on flight hours and layover payments. This typically adds approximately:
$200 to $250 USD per hour flown, depending on the seniority and the routes.
Education Allowance
Emirates provides an education allowance for children of pilots, which can significantly offset the cost of schooling in Dubai. Such allowance normally cover tuition in some of the best private day or boarding schools in the country.
End of Service Benefits & Performance Bonuses
Additional such benefits are accumulated on an annual basis, contributing further to the overall compensation package. They are subject to the airline’s financial performance and individual performance criteria.
Total Earnings
- First Officer: Total compensation for a First Officer can range from approximately $120,000 to $150,000 USD annually, including all allowances and flight pay.
- Captain: For a Captain, the total compensation can be significantly higher, ranging from about $180,000 to over $250,000 USD annually, considering all salary components and additional benefits.
Tax-free Heaven
The tax-free nature of the salary in the UAE is a major benefit, effectively increasing the purchasing power of the earnings compared to countries where income is taxed. The competitive salary, combined with comprehensive benefits such as health insurance, travel benefits, and retirement savings plans, makes the overall compensation package for Emirates pilots one of the most attractive in the aviation industry. The Emirati pilots pay 0% in taxes in the UAE.
Subject to their own country’s policies, most Emirates pilots are able to keep their whole salary to themselves. For example, the UK citizens who work for Emirates do not have to pay any taxes to the UK government. However, the US pilots get a break on the first $150,000 USD of their annual wages, but have to pay taxes on the rest of their earning. This system makes disposable income of most pilots who work for Emirates higher than the earnings of many domestic pilots in the EU and the US, who have to pay between 25% and 40% in taxes.
How to Get Hired
Applying to become a pilot with Emirates Airlines involves a rigorous and competitive process designed to select candidates who not only meet high technical standards but also embody the customer service excellence that Emirates is known for. The application and interview process for pilots typically includes several stages, each designed to assess different competencies and skills.
Application Process
Applying to become a pilot with Emirates Airlines involves a rigorous and competitive process designed to select candidates who not only meet high technical standards but also embody the customer service excellence that Emirates is known for. The application and interview process for pilots typically includes nine of the following stages, each designed to assess different competencies and skills.
1. Online Application
Candidates begin by submitting an online application through the Emirates Group Careers website. This application requires detailed information about their education, flight experience, and certifications. Applicants must meet specific minimum requirements, such as:
- A valid ICAO ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot License), preferably from a Western country.
- A minimum number of flying hours (the exact number depends on the type of aircraft and previous positions, typically around 2,000 jet hours on any aircraft with MTOW above 30 tonnes, and over 2500 total flight hours, including piston training aircraft.)
- Fluency in English, both written and spoken, with ICAO-5 or higher certificate.
- High school diploma or higher.
2. Document Submission
If the initial application is accepted, candidates are asked to submit further documentation, including a detailed log of their flight hours, copies of their licenses, medical fitness certificates, and references from previous employers.
3. Initial Screening
The first phase of the interview process might involve a telephone or video interview to assess the candidate’s communication skills and preliminary suitability for the role.
4. Assessment Day
Candidates who pass the initial screening are invited to Dubai for an Assessment Day, which includes several components:
- Group Exercises: These are designed to assess teamwork, leadership skills, and problem-solving abilities.
- Psychometric Testing: Various tests evaluate cognitive abilities and personality traits.
- Technical Interviews: Detailed interviews with senior pilots and hiring managers focus on the candidate’s technical knowledge, understanding of aviation regulations, and situational judgement in flying scenarios.
- Simulator Assessment: Candidates undergo a flight simulator test to evaluate their flying skills, adherence to standard operating procedures, and ability to manage in-flight emergencies.
5. Final Interview
The final stage of the interview process is a more in-depth interview, often with senior management. This interview assesses the candidate’s fit with the Emirates culture, long-term career aspirations, and their potential to contribute to the airline’s success.
6. Medical Examination
Candidates who successfully pass all the above stages are required to complete a comprehensive medical examination to ensure they meet the health standards required for professional pilots.
7. Background Checks
Emirates conducts thorough background checks, including verification of employment history, educational qualifications, and any criminal records.
8. Contract Offer
Successful candidates are then offered a contract, which outlines the terms of employment, salary, benefits, and relocation details if necessary.
9. Joining and Training
New pilots undergo an extensive training program that includes company orientation, specific aircraft type training, safety and emergency procedures, and cultural integration sessions. Training can last several months before new pilots are finally assigned to active flight duties.
The interview process takes there days. It is very comprehensive and designed to ensure that only the most qualified and fitting candidates join the team. It reflects Emirates’ commitment to safety, customer service, and operational excellence. Prospective applicants are advised to prepare thoroughly at each stage to improve their chances of success.
Which Flight Training Program is Optimal?
The optimal flight training program to become an Emirates pilot has to be integrated with the pilot internship and the career development program in the United States or Canada, which will fit the Emirates preference to hire pilots from the western flight training background. The reason why Emirates wants pilots with the Western licenses, is because this guarantees that the licenses were obtained honestly, and no bribery was involved, like it often happens in the developing countries.
The Flight Training program has to encompass the first stage – which is the Flight Training itself; the second stage – which is the pilot internship; and the third stage – which is the further pilot career development where pilots are able to obtain entry-level First Officer position in the local airlines in order to build at least 2000 hours of jet flight required by Emirates.
United States
United States can offer Flight Training, integrated with internship, but the internship is limited to two years, and there is no ways to continue internship in the Airlines in order to build the Jet time.
See the full difference outline between the United States and Canada flight training here >>>
Canada
Canada, however, not only offers the opportunity for internship immediately after training under the PGWP, but also allows graduates to apply for the Canadian permanent residency after two years of internship, and enter the Canadian Airline employment in order to build the jet flight time.
Therefore, we normally recommend that International students enter one of our Canadian Flight Training programs in order to achieve the qualifications to become a first officer pilot with Emirates Airlines.
Ready to begin the journey to accomplish your dream and become an Emirates pilot? Check out our integrated Canadian program here >>>
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About the Author:
Russ Sherwood is an airline captain and a line check pilot at a major US airline flying the A320/321 fleet. He has logged over 9000 flight hours and holds airline, commercial and flight instructor pilot licenses issued by the FAA (US), CAAC (China) and DGCA (Indonesia). Russ is also a lead aviation career development consultant for Aerocadet.