How long does it take to become a Purser at Emirates, Qatar & Etihad???

How fast can you become Cabin Manager at Etihad?

At Etihad, cabin crew can progress through clear career steps:

• Economy → Business Class: from 12 months
•  Business Class → Cabin Senior: from 12 months
•  Cabin Senior → Cabin Manager: from 24 months

That means the timeline to become Cabin Manager can be around 4 years or more, depending on your performance and Etihad’s business needs.

It is much more quicker when it comes to promotion with Etihad compared to the timeline with Qatar or Emirates. And at Etihad a purser is called Cabin Manager. 

Cabin Managers have the purple hat. Their Cabin Seniors also have the purple hat. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 How long does it take to become a Purser at Emirates?

There is no specific timeline with EK. It depends on your performance, experience and career progression.

You typically start in Economy Class, then, with good performance, you can progress to Business Class → First Class → Cabin Supervisor.

After gaining experience as a Cabin Supervisor, you can apply for the Purser role.

For some crew, reaching Purser can take around 8 years, while for others, it can take 13+ years.

It takes a long time with Emirates to reach the Purser role. 

Their uniform is darker compared to the others.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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How long does it take to become a Cabin Services Director at Qatar Airways?

There is no fixed timeline for crew in Qatar either to reach this level. Also Purser in Qatar Airways i called ''Cabin Services Director''. 

You normally start as cabin crew and, with experience and good performance, progress through senior cabin roles before reaching Cabin Services Director.

Looking at real Qatar Airways crew career paths, it can take around 8 to 12+ years to reach this level.

It takes a long time too with Qatar to reach this level.

Their uniforms are dark gray compared to the others.

 

 

 

 

What is the Emirates cabin crew training actually like?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Becoming an Emirates cabin crew member is not only about serving food and taking care of passengers.

The training is a long and exciting journey where you learn about safety, emergencies, medical situations, security, customer service and the Emirates way of working.

New joiners in EK go through intensive 7,5 weeks of training in Dubai at the Emirates training facilities.

The training includes classroom lessons, practical training, e-learning, simulator training and exams.

Here is a very short overview of what the Emirates training looks like, just to give you an idea:

 

Induction - The First Days

The first days are about getting to know Emirates, your new job and your training. You will be welcomed to Emirates and introduced to the training programme.

During the first days, they will go through:

• Welcome to Emirates

• Welcome to training

• Corporate induction

• Customer Journey Training

• E-learning

• Medical formalities

• Discover Dubai Tour

The Corporate Induction helps you understand Emirates, its values and how the company works. You also learn about the customer journey, what passengers experience from the moment they arrive at the airport until they leave the aircraft. And because you are starting your new life in Dubai, you will also get the chance to discover the city. 

 

Safety & Emergency Training - SEP

One of the biggest parts of the training is Safety and Emergency Procedures, also called SEP. This is one of the most important parts because the safety of passengers is your number one responsibility. You will learn what to do if something goes wrong during a flight.

The things they will go through: 

Aircraft Training

You will learn about the aircrafts that you will work on:

• Airbus

• Boeing

• Aircraft systems

• Doors and exits

• Emergency equipment

• Safety procedures

• Safety demonstrations

You need to know the aircraft very well because, during an emergency, you need to react quickly.

 

Fire & Smoke

You will learn how to deal with different types of fires on board. You will learn how to use firefighting equipment and how the cabin crew should work together during a fire.

 

Decompression

A decompression happens when the air pressure inside the aircraft changes suddenly. You will learn what happens during a decompression and what you need to do. You will also practise using oxygen equipment and helping passengers.

 

Ditching

Ditching means an emergency landing on water. You will learn how to prepare passengers and use the emergency equipment.

• Practical training can include:
• Entering the water with a life jacket
• Practising an aircraft ditching
•  Working as a team
•  Setting up the life raft
•  Using the life raft
•  Moving away from the aircraft

This can be one of the most exciting and challenging parts of the training.

 

Turbulence

Turbulence is something cabin crew experience during normal flights. You will learn how to protect yourself, secure the cabin and help passengers during turbulence.

 

Emergency Evacuation

You will also learn what to do when passengers need to leave the aircraft quickly.

You will practise:

• Emergency commands

• Opening exits

• Using evacuation slides

• Helping passengers

• Working as a team

• Moving passengers away from danger

You practise these situations so that you can react quickly during a real emergency.

 

Rules & Teamwork

There is also classroom training about the rules and responsibilities of being cabin crew.

You will learn about:

• Basic aeronautics

• Cabin crew briefings

• Crew Resource Management (CRM)

• Flight Time Limitations (FTL)

• Licensing requirements

• Safety demonstrations

 

Crew Resource Management - CRM

CRM is about communication and teamwork. Cabin crew and pilots need to communicate clearly and work together, especially during difficult situations. Being cabin crew is not about working alone. It is about being part of a team.

 

Medical Training - GMT

Another important part of the training is Group Medical Training, also called GMT. You learn what to do if a passenger becomes sick or needs medical help during a flight.

You will learn about:

• CPR

• First aid

• Basic Life Support

• Bleeding

• Burns

• Choking

• Asthma

• Diabetes

• Epilepsy

• Heart problems

• Allergic reactions

• Broken bones

• Sprains

• Shock

• Childbirth on board

• Aircraft medical equipment

• Alcohol intoxication

• Appendicitis

• Death on board

• Dislocations

• Eye injuries

• Food poisoning

• Head and neck injuries

• Hyperventilation

• Stroke

• Heat and cold-related illnesses

 

 

Security Training

Cabin crew also have an important job when it comes to security.

You will learn about:

• Security checks

• Sabotage

• Hijacking

• Weapons recognition

• Customs rules

• Conflict management

• Personal security

 

Security Checks

Before passengers come on board, cabin crew have to check the cabin. You learn what to look for and how to report anything unusual.

 

Suspicious Objects & LRBL

LRBL means Least Risk Bomb Location. You learn what to do if a suspicious object is found on the aircraft.

 

Self-Defence

You may also have practical security training.

This can include:

• Self-defence

• Restraint techniques

• Dealing with difficult situations

The purpose is to help protect yourself, the passengers and the aircraft.

 

 

Image & Uniform Training

You learn how to wear the famous Emirates uniform and how to maintain a professional appearance. But it is not only about the uniform. You also learn about grooming and taking care of your professional image. You also learn about living a healthy lifestyle, including fitness, healthy food, good sleep, staying hydrated and taking care of your body and well-being.

You will learn about:

• Uniform

• Hair

• Make-up

• Skin care

• Nail care

• Hair care

• Shoes

• Hat / veil

• Fitness and nutrition

• Professional appearance

 

Service Training

This is where you learn how to give passengers the Emirates experience.

 

Different Cultures

Emirates passengers come from all over the world. You learn how to communicate with people from different cultures and backgrounds.

Different Passengers

Every passenger is different. You learn how to understand their needs and give them the right service.

Communication

Good communication is very important.

You learn how to:

• Speak clearly

• Listen to passengers

• Be polite

• Handle different situations

• Help passengers with their needs

 

Etiquette

You learn about professional behaviour and how to create a comfortable atmosphere in the cabin.

Food & Drinks

Of course, you also learn about food and drinks.

You practise:

• Meal service

• Drink service

• Food presentation

• Service procedures

• Passenger interaction

Mock Aircraft

You will also practise your service skills inside a mock aircraft cabin.

You can practise situations such as:

• Boarding

• Welcoming passengers

• Preparing the cabin

• Serving meals

• Hospitality

• Helping passengers with special needs

• Handling passenger requests

This helps you feel more prepared for the real aircraft.

 

Exams & Assessments

During the training, you will have exams and practical tests. You need to show that you understand the information and can also perform the procedures correctly. Some parts are written tests, while others are practical.

 

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You will never forget these 7.5 weeks as long as you live. It will be some of the most intense training you have ever done in your life. But once you get through it, you will be so proud of yourself😊

Anyway, these were just some of the things you will do during Emirates cabin crew training. There are so many more things to learn and experience, but I only wanted to give you a small idea of what the training is like.

If you are reading this post and will soon be moving to Dubai to start your new chapter, I wish you all the best ❤️

You are going to have so much fun and probably not much sleep😄✈️🇦🇪

Qatar, Riyadh Air & Etihad cabin crew timelines 2026

 

 

Ever wondered how long it actually takes to go from submitting a cabin crew application to receiving your date of joining (DOJ)?

The answer is: There is no specific timeline for each airline. Every applicant has a unique timeline depending on various factors.

Some applicants move through the process within a few weeks, while others spend months waiting between stages. Even applicants who apply to the same airline can experience completely different timelines depending on their location, recruitment event, background checks, visa processing and training schedules etc. 

Below are several real applicant timelines from Qatar Airways, Riyadh Air and Etihad Airways, showing just how different the journey can be::::

Sharing these so you get an idea of how it might be. I have tried to include all the info i could find about these applicants. 

 

 Qatar Airways - Algeria Applicant

Applicant: 27 years old
Location: Algeria
Assessment: Algeria

Timeline

📅 16 January 2026  - Application submitted
📅 1 February - Invitation for recruitment event
📅 7 February - Meet & greet
📅 9 February - English test
📅 13 February - Final interview
📅 19 February - Blue background photo & document collection email
📅 28 February - Status changed to assessments completed
📅 7 April - Talent Pipeline
📅 17 May - Talent Pipeline
📅 18 June - Talent Pipeline
📅 2 August - Talent Pipeline
📅 13 August - E-offer

📅 16 August - Coordinator's email + Accurate
📅 19 August - Visa valid to use

📅 25 August - Background check completed ️
📅 30 August - DOJ received: 8 October 2026

This timeline is a great example of how ''Talent Pipeline''  does not necessarily mean rejection or that your application has stopped.

The applicant completed the assessment stages in February but then spent several months receiving Talent Pipeline updates before finally receiving the e-offer in August.

From application to DOJ, the journey lasted almost 9 months.

 

 

Riyadh Air - UK Applicant

Applicant: UK applicant
Assessment: United Kingdom

Timeline

📅 13 January 2026 - Applied online
📅 19 January - Online assessment
📅 28 January - Invitation for Assessment Day
📅 16 February - Assessment Day
📅 4 March - Congratulations email

📅 8 March - Documents link received
📅 25 March - Offer received
📅 1 April - Welcome call
📅 2 April - Onboarding portal + DOJ information
📅 8 April - Police clearance
📅 20 April - Medical appointment
📅 17 June - Flight ticket received️
📅 22 June - Visa received

This applicant moved through the recruitment stages relatively quickly, with the congratulations email arriving less than 2 months after applying.

 

Riyadh Air

Applicant: 25 years old
Background: Former cabin crew

Another Riyadh Air applicant had a slightly different timeline.

📅 20 December 2025 - Online assessment
📅 14 January 2026 - Invitation for Assessment Day
📅 4 February - Assessment Day
📅 16 February - Congratulations email 🎉
📅 8 March - Document submission email
📅 25 March - Offer letter
📅 26 March - Onboarding portal + DOJ information
📅 June 2026 - DOJ

Two applicants can go through essentially the same recruitment process but have different final timelines.

The former cabin crew applicant received the congratulations email only 12 days after the Assessment Day, followed by the offer in March.

 

Etihad Airways

Background: Former cabin crew
Location: UK

📅 16 July - Open Day + final-stage interview on the same day
📅 21 July - Shortlisted + survey
📅 21 July - English test
📅 22 July - English test passed
📅 22 July - Offer letter
📅 24 July - Onboarding process email
📅 10 August - All required documents submitted and signed
📅 13 August - Email explaining that document review could take longer than usual due to a high volume of applications
📅 17 August - Documents received
📅 19 August - Contract signed
📅 21 September - DOJ

This applicant went from open day to offer letter in only 6 days.

Getting the offer is not necessarily the end of the recruitment process.

There can still be document checks, contracts, medicals, visas and other administrative steps before you actually join.

 

 

Here is another Etihad applicant timeline:

📅 1 June - Open Day
📅 2 June - Assessment Day
📅 6 June - Survey
📅 9 June - English test
📅 30 June - Offer letter
📅 2 July - Onboarding process email
📅 6 July - Onboarding survey
📅 7 July - All documents submitted and signed
📅 13 August - Email explaining that the process was taking longer than usual
📅 26 August - DOJ
📅 27 August - Contract signed
📅 End of September - Date of joining

Once again, the applicant received the offer relatively quickly, but the final stages took longer.

The email about higher application volumes is something applicants may encounter during busy recruitment periods.

 

 

Another Etihad Airways applicant timeline

Applicant: 22 years old
Nationality: Romanian
Background: Former cabin crew

Timeline

📅 30 March 2026 - Application submitted
📅 30 March - Video Assessment received
📅 3 April - Video Assessment completed
📅 4 June - Virtual Assessment Day invitation
📅 8 June - Virtual Assessment Day
📅 9 June - Professional photos email
📅 9 June - English test
📅 10 June - English test completed
📅 30 June - Offer letter received

📅 2 July - Onboarding email received
📅 6 July - Documents received email
📅 20 July - DOJ received
📅 21 July - Contract received
📅 28 September 2026 - First day ️

This applicant went from application to offer in approximately 3 months, and the first day was scheduled for September.

 

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Looking at all these journeys together, there are a few important things future cabin crew applicants should remember.

Every applicant's timeline is different

One person may receive an offer within weeks, while another may wait several months.

Don't compare your timeline too closely with someone elses.

Talent Pool does not automatically mean rejection

The Qatar Airways timeline shows an applicant who remained in the Talent Pipeline for months before eventually receiving an e-offer.

Sometimes the airline simply needs to match successful candidates with upcoming training classes and operational needs.

Passing the assessment is only one part of the journey

After receiving a congratulations email or offer, there can still be:

Document checks

Background checks

Police clearance

Medical examinations

Contracts

Visa processing

Onboarding

Flight arrangements

Training dates

Your offer does not always mean you are flying immediately

Several applicants received their offer months before their actual DOJ.

This is particularly important when airlines are recruiting large numbers of cabin crew for future expansion or upcoming training batches.

Former cabin crew can still experience different timelines

Having previous cabin crew experience may be helpful, but it doesn't guarantee that every stage will happen faster.

The recruitment and onboarding process can still depend on the airline's internal requirements and current recruitment volume.

 

 

How to dress for your Cabin Crew Open Day/Assessment Day/Final Interview

Applying to:

👉Emirates

👉Etihad

👉Qatar Airways

👉Riyadh Air?

Or will you soon attend a open day, assessment day or final interview with these airlines? 

Your appearance and photos is one of the first things recruiters will notice. If not one of the most important things they look for.  You should aim for a professional, polished and airline appropriate appearance.

You want recruiters to look at you and think:

I can see this person representing our airline😊 

For example this is what Emirates mention on their website about the dress code:

 

 

 

 

 

So how should you dress and look like? This also goes for all these ME airlines not only Emirates. 

Read below for examples: 

 

👉Female

 

Outfit

Professional business attire. A tailored suit, blazer and skirt. Keep the outfit simple and well-fitted. Neutral, professional colours are a safe choice. 

Examples:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shoes

Closed-toe heels. Clean and polished. Choose a heel you can comfortably walk in.

Examples:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Makeup

Keep your makeup fresh, neat and elegant rather than too dramatic. A good tip is to check IG/TikTok and look at current cabin crew members. Notice how they wear their makeup and use this as inspiration for your own look. Remember, recruiters are looking at you and thinking: Could she represent our airline? Your makeup should look professional, polished and suitable for the airline’s image.

Examples:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hair

Neatly styled and away from your face. A neat bun or polished hairstyle is a safe option. Avoid messy or overly casual styles. 

Examples:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nails:

Very simple and neutral colours.

 

Examples:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jewellery

Minimal!!

Examples:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

👉Male dress code

 

Outfit

Well fitted suit or smart business attire. White or light-coloured shirt. Professional tie.Make sure everything is clean and pressed.

Examples::

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shoes

Formal business shoes. Clean and polished.

Examples:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hair & Grooming

Neatly styled hair. Clean-shaven or very well-groomed facial hair, depending on the airline's current requirements. It is simple for male candidates to check the IG/TikTok accounts of male cabin crew and see how they look. That is the look you should aim for.

Examples: