Cabin Crew Training

Fact Sheet

Recruited from over 135 countries and speaking more than 60 languages, Emirates is proud of the service delivered by its
cabin crew. In total, Emirates employs over 23,000 cabin crew members today who have all trained at the Emirates
Aviation College Cabin Crew Training.

Emirates opened the training facility in the summer of 2007. Since then with crew has been trained in the highest
standards of safety and service delivery in this state-of-the-art facility. The training includes a combination of both
theoretical and practical components, with the latter taking place in full motion simulators of all aircraft types.

The Training
Emirates Aviation College Cabin Crew Training covers a number of key learning areas. For a new, so called ‘Ab initio’
recruit, training takes place over eight weeks on all Emirates aircraft: Boeing 777 and A380. The eight-week course
covers all aspects of a crew member’s role, including:
 Evacuation and Safety & Emergency Procedures
 Group Medical Training
 Cabin Service Training
 Image and Uniform
 Duty Free Sales

Evacuation and Safety & Emergency Procedures

Cabin crew are trained to successfully handle different safety scenarios from emergency decompression, to evacuation on
water and land using aircraft simulators. These simulators are state-of-the-art in design and include full motion and smoke
simulation, as well as visual and audio displays that reflect real-life scenarios to make training as realistic as possible.

Advanced computer programmes enable the training team to simulate a variety of emergency scenarios that give
Emirates’ cabin crew trainees the opportunity to experience situations and conditions which closely mirror in a real-life
emergency situations. For example, a variety of door malfunctions can be simulated, including blocked doors, slide failure
and obstructions, such as trees and debris or smoke emerging from the doors.

The facilities at the College also enable training staff to simulate all types of fires which could possibly occur in the cabin.
The crew members then practice actual fire fighting techniques in a separate fire-fighting simulator as part of their training.

All cabin crew must return annually for a two-day ‘Recurrent Training’ to renew their skills and safety license.

Group Medical Training

The role and function of Group Medical Training is to provide training for both air crew and corporate staff in areas of
health and safety. The training complies with and satisfies both local and international regulatory requirements for the
aviation industry.

In particular, the College offers a variety of courses specifically designed to meet the dynamic on-board environment for
cabin crew. These courses include:
  In-flight Medical Care and Basic Life Support (‘ab initio’ level and at leadership level)
 Dealing with Medical Emergencies
 Customers with Special Needs

Security Training
The Security Training programme for pilots and cabin crew covers a number of topics, including:
 Hijack situations
 Sabotage
 Security checks
 Personal security
 Handling of disruptive passengers

Disruptive passenger training, for example, includes emphasis on communication between pilots and cabin crew and the
importance of resolving conflict on board. Conflict management techniques are highlighted in order to prevent any on-
board situation from worsening.

Cabin Service
Using specially-constructed replicas of Emirates’ aircraft interiors, cabin crew are comprehensively taught to provide the
very best in-flight service, from full silver service fine dining to mixing the perfect cocktail, delivering the Emirates on-board
experience.

Replicas on a scale of 1:1, called Cabin Service Trainers, are also housed in the Emirates Crew Training College,
representing several sections of the aircraft, including First, Business and Economy Class cabins for all aircraft types in
the Emirates fleet. An A380 replica includes:
 32-metre upper deck section with 14 First Class suites, 26 Business Class suites
 Fully functional First and Business Class galleys
 Recreated on-board Shower Spa units and lounge areas
 Lower deck Economy section with 114 passenger seats and two fully functional galleys

The purpose of the Cabin Service Trainers is to provide the crew with a realistic training environment for both food
preparation and service, ensuring that customers receive an outstanding in-flight experience. There are full replicas of:
 Toilet facilities
 Hat racks and stowage
 Galleys with ovens, bun warmers, coffee makers, toasters and cappuccino machines

The College has also introduced new flight kitchens into the building design, replicating hospitality and catering
environments and giving cabin crew the opportunity to gain expertise in plating meals. The kitchens also help crew to
acquire the exceptional culinary and food presentation skills required to help deliver Emirates’ specialised ‘Dine on
Demand’ services, truly implementing the concept of ‘fine dining’ at 40,000 feet.

In addition, a comprehensive Seat Demonstration room was built which contains fully operable aircraft seats where cabin
crew acquire experience in operating seat controls, understanding manual overrides and are therefore equipped to assist
customers.

Image and Uniform

As the “face” of the airline, all cabin crew must have an impeccable appearance when facing customers. Hair, make-up,
skin care, nail care, uniform standards and overall image are covered in depth and are set in the context of the Emirates
brand.

The Image and Uniform team also provide training for other Emirates Group brands such as: dnata, Arabian Adventures,
Airport Services Staff and other customer-facing personnel. Also positioned under the umbrella of the Image and Uniform
department is the Fitness and Nutrition Unit. This unit provides the cabin crew with guidance on how to maintain a healthy
lifestyle while flying.

Duty Free Sales

An important element of Emirates’ on-board offering is the wide variety of Duty Free products on sale, from perfumes to
fine jewelry. In a specially designed training room, cabin crew are introduced to the items available and taught the skills
needed to sell one of the most successful product ranges in the air.
Ongoing Training
After eight weeks a new recruit is ready to commence his/her career path as an Emirates cabin crew member. During
his/her career with Emirates, a cabin crew member can then continue to train and progress:

 After 12-18 months crew can advance on to Business Class promotion, enabling them to work in Business Class
 After a further 12 months, they can train to become First Class crew

The course for each of the above is five days’ duration, during which the crew member learns the new product, cabin
layout, customer expectations, as well as the techniques of creating a fine dining in-flight experience.

 After two and a half to three years of service as a cabin crew member: Can apply to be promoted to Cabin
Supervisor, following the upgrade into First Class and having completed time working in this cabin.
 After one to two years as a Cabin Supervisor: Can apply to become a Purser, who is responsible for managing
staff in all three cabins and liaising directly with the Captain. Six months of ‘on-the-job’ training, completion of a
portfolio of tasks and courses are required.

The journey to the role of Purser is a rewarding experience and Emirates’ crew members are provided with professional
and leading-edge training at all stages, set in a world class facility.

Emirates remains committed to providing its customers with ‘the world’s best in-flight experience’ through highly trained,
professional, cosmopolitan cabin crew.

Flying Fit – The Healthy Way

Emirates encourages crew members to maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to help them cope with the physical demands
of flying and constant change in time zones.

As cabin crew operate shifts on a 24/7 basis, it is vital that they lead a healthy lifestyle. Crew regularly experience body
clock changes, irregular sleeping patterns and long haul flying which can disrupt their system. The body needs a regular
dose of good nutrition and consistent exercise to remain at its optimum levels.

A dedicated Fitness and Nutrition Unit, with a team of qualified experts, provide support and training to the cabin crew.
Crew are taken through a health and nutrition course upon joining and may make an appointment with the Fitness and
Nutrition department at any time during their employment for advice on how to stay healthy.

Updated: May 2018

Emirates Public Relations – Email [email protected] – Phone +971 4 708 2145
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