How to Become a Flight Attendant for International Airlines: Emirates, Delta and Riyadh Air Compared
You have probably seen the pictures.
A flight attendant standing confidently in an Emirates uniform. A Delta crew member welcoming passengers onto an aircraft in the United States. Or perhaps the newer and increasingly talked about Riyadh Air, building a new airline and a new generation of cabin crew in Saudi Arabia.
For many aspiring flight attendants, working for an international airline is the dream.
But there is something I want you to understand before you start applying everywhere.
Getting a flight attendant job with an international airline is not simply about wearing a beautiful uniform and travelling around the world.
It is a professional career.
You will work long hours. You will work with people from different cultures and personalities. You will deal with passengers who are happy, anxious, demanding, frightened and sometimes downright difficult.
You will work with senior crew members and supervisors. You will be expected to follow procedures. You will be trained to handle emergencies. You will represent your airline every time you put on that uniform.
And yes, you will also get to see the world.
That is the glamorous part people see.
There is a whole lot more happening behind the scenes.
So, if you are dreaming about becoming cabin crew with an international airline, let’s look at three airlines that represent very different opportunities: Emirates, Delta and Riyadh Air.
What Does It Take to Become an International Flight Attendant?
There is no single set of requirements for every international airline.
Each airline has its own recruitment process, eligibility criteria, training programme and employment conditions.
However, there are qualities that international airlines generally look for in cabin crew.
You need excellent communication skills.
You need to be able to work as part of a team.
You need emotional intelligence.
You need professionalism.
You need to be adaptable.
You need customer service skills.
You need to understand that safety comes before service.
You also need to be comfortable working with people who may not look, sound or think like you.
That is one of the beautiful things about aviation.
You can have a crew made up of people from different countries, different cultures and different backgrounds, all working together to operate one flight.
That is why being a flight attendant is much more than serving food.
If you want a deeper look at what cabin crew actually do, read my article What Do Flight Attendants Really Do? The Job Is More Than Serving Food.
Emirates Cabin Crew Requirements
Emirates Group Careers: Cabin Crew is one of the places aspiring international cabin crew should be watching closely.
Emirates is based in Dubai and is one of the airlines that many aspiring flight attendants around the world dream about joining.
According to Emirates’ current cabin crew requirements, applicants must be at least 21 years old, have a minimum of Grade 12 education, speak and write English fluently and have at least one year of hospitality or customer service experience.
Emirates also currently requires candidates to be at least 160 cm tall and able to reach 212 cm, meet UAE employment visa requirements and have no visible tattoos while wearing the Emirates cabin crew uniform. Additional languages are considered an advantage.
That tells you something important.
Emirates is not simply looking for someone who wants to travel.
They are looking for someone who can provide professional service, communicate effectively and function as part of a multicultural team.
What is the Emirates recruitment process like?
Emirates conducts recruitment events in different locations around the world.
Its current recruitment process includes an introduction, assessment activities and a final interview. Candidates are also asked to have documents such as an up to date CV, education certificate and passport copy available.
Successful recruits then undergo intensive training in Dubai. Emirates currently states that its new recruits complete approximately seven and a half weeks of training covering areas including safety and emergency procedures and medical training.
So if Emirates is your dream airline, do not prepare only for the interview.
Prepare for the career.
Delta Flight Attendant Requirements
Now let’s move across the Atlantic.
Delta Flight Attendant Careers has a recruitment structure that is quite different from Emirates.
Delta currently requires flight attendant applicants to be at least 21 years old, have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent, speak, read and write English fluently and be legally authorised to work in the United States. Applicants must also be willing to operate domestic and international flights, including overnights, weekends, holidays and irregular hours.
This is an important distinction for aspiring crew outside the United States.
You might see a Delta flight attendant vacancy online and think, “I want to apply.”
But before spending time preparing your application, you need to check whether you actually meet the airline’s eligibility requirements.
Do not confuse an international airline with an airline that accepts applications from every country.
Those are two very different things.
What does Delta’s recruitment process look like?
Delta’s current process includes an application, a Fitme assessment, an on demand video interview, an in person Event Day in Atlanta, a conditional job offer and then seven weeks of onsite training in Atlanta for successful candidates.
Delta also offers Language of Destination opportunities when there is an operational need for specific languages. Candidates applying for these bilingual roles must be fluent in English and the relevant additional language.
That is another reminder of something important in aviation.
Your language skills can become part of your professional advantage.
Riyadh Air Cabin Crew
Then we have Riyadh Air.
Riyadh Air Careers: Cabin Crew represents something very different from Emirates and Delta.
Riyadh Air is a new generation airline being built in Saudi Arabia, and its cabin crew career is connected to the airline’s wider vision of representing Saudi Arabia on the global stage.
The airline describes its cabin crew as ambassadors of Saudi Arabia and places significant emphasis on Saudi hospitality through its Hafawa concept.
Riyadh Air also currently highlights its NAWAT Cabin Crew Programme, an eight month training journey designed to prepare Saudi men and women for cabin crew careers with the airline.
Because Riyadh Air is still building its operation, aspiring crew should pay close attention to its official careers page rather than relying entirely on old social media posts or information shared by other people.
The aviation industry changes.
Recruitment requirements change.
Recruitment locations change.
Airline strategies change.
The only constant in life is change.
Emirates vs Delta vs Riyadh Air
So, which airline should you choose?
There is no universal answer.
| Feature | Emirates | Delta | Riyadh Air |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main base | Dubai | United States | Riyadh |
| Minimum age | 21 | 21 | Depends on the specific opportunity |
| Education | Minimum Grade 12 | High school diploma, GED or equivalent | Depends on the programme or vacancy |
| English | Required | Required | Important for international operations |
| Customer service experience | At least 1 year | Relevant experience and skills are important | Depends on vacancy |
| International operations | Yes | Yes | Being built as a global airline |
| Training location | Dubai | Atlanta | Saudi Arabia |
| Career stage | Established global airline | Established global airline | New generation airline |
Requirements and recruitment opportunities can change, so always verify the current information directly with the airline before applying.
What About Aspiring Flight Attendants in Africa?
Now let’s talk about something I know many aspiring crew in Africa think about.
‘What if the airline does not come to my country?’
This is a very real concern.
Many Middle Eastern airlines conduct recruitment exercises in selected cities and countries rather than travelling to every African country.
From what I have personally observed over the years, some African locations that have appeared regularly on recruitment schedules for certain Middle Eastern airlines include Kenya, Morocco and South Africa.
But here is the important part.
Do not assume that because an airline has not recruited in your country before, it never will.
An airline can change its recruitment strategy.
A recruitment event that was not available in your country last year could suddenly appear this year.
So keep checking the airline’s official careers page and recruitment channels.
Emirates, for example, currently states that it travels around the world to find cabin crew and advises candidates who do not see their city to apply online and register so they can be informed about nearby recruitment opportunities.
That is why I always tell aspiring crew:
Keep yourself ready.
Do not wait until you see a recruitment announcement before you start preparing.
Have your CV ready.
Have your passport ready.
Have your certificates organised.
Know your measurements.
Work on your communication.
Research the airline.
Practise your interview questions.
Understand customer service.
And most importantly, understand the role you are applying for.
Should You Travel to Another Country for a Cabin Crew Recruitment?
This is where things become interesting.
Let’s say you are in Nigeria and you discover that an airline is holding a recruitment event in Kenya.
Should you spend money to travel there?
My answer is:
It can be worth considering, but understand the risk.
It is a 50/50 situation.
You could travel, attend the recruitment exercise and receive an offer.
Or you could travel, attend the recruitment exercise and not make it through.
You have to be financially prepared for either outcome.
But there is another way of looking at it.
It is also an interview learning experience.
You get to see how that airline conducts its recruitment.
You experience the environment.
You learn how the assessment works.
You understand the standard expected.
You meet other candidates.
You discover where you need improvement.
And if you do not succeed this time, you now have more information than you had before.
However, do not borrow money you cannot afford to repay simply because someone on social media said an airline is recruiting.
Research the recruitment event.
Check that it is officially announced by the airline.
Understand the requirements.
Calculate your travel, accommodation and other expenses.
And remember that attending a recruitment event does not guarantee employment.
Every Airline Has Its Perks and Disadvantages
One mistake I see aspiring cabin crew make is becoming emotionally attached to one airline.
They see the uniform.
They see the destinations.
They see the Instagram lifestyle.
They see crew members travelling around the world.
And suddenly they decide:
‘This is the airline I must work for’.
But you need to ask a different question.
Does this airline fit the life I want to build?
Every airline has its advantages.
Every airline has its disadvantages.
One airline may offer excellent travel opportunities but require you to relocate.
Another may offer attractive benefits but have a recruitment process that is extremely competitive.
Another may be building something completely new and offer the excitement of joining an airline during its early stages.
Your priorities may also change.
Perhaps you want to live in Dubai.
Perhaps you want to work in the United States.
Perhaps you want to experience working for a new airline.
Perhaps you want to be closer to family.
Perhaps you value career progression.
Perhaps you value your days off more than the glamour of the airline.
There is no wrong answer.
Know what fits into your goals in life.
Remember, This Is a Job
I want to say this because I think aspiring cabin crew need to hear it.
Being a flight attendant is a beautiful career.
I have experienced the travel.
I have met incredible people.
I have worked with crew from different backgrounds.
I have experienced the excitement of aviation.
But underneath the uniform is a job.
You are required to work.
You will have early morning reports.
You will have late night flights.
You will have long duty days.
You will have passengers who test your patience.
You will work with colleagues you love and colleagues you may not particularly like.
You will work with senior crew.
You will have supervisors.
You will be expected to follow company procedures.
You will be expected to maintain professional standards.
And you will sometimes have to smile when you are tired.
That is part of being a professional.
A flight attendant is not simply someone who serves meals at 35,000 feet.
You are responsible for safety.
You are responsible for emergency procedures.
You are responsible for passenger care.
You are part of a team.
And you are a representative of your airline.
You Are an Adult Building a Career
Let me say this in the simplest way I can.
You are not a child whose candy was stolen.
You are an adult who wants to achieve something in life.
You will not always get the result you want.
You may attend an assessment and fail.
You may make it to the final interview and not receive an offer.
You may apply three times before you succeed.
You may travel to another country for a recruitment event and return home without a job.
You may even get rejected by an airline that you thought was perfect for you.
Do not allow one rejection to define you.
Study what happened.
Identify what you can improve.
Learn from the experience.
Apply again when you are eligible.
And keep moving.
The cabin crew career requires resilience because aviation itself requires resilience.
How to Increase Your Chances of Getting an International Cabin Crew Job
If your dream is to work for an international airline, start preparing before the vacancy appears.
1. Improve your English
International aviation is heavily communication driven.
You need to be able to communicate clearly and professionally.
2. Build customer service experience
Emirates currently requires at least one year of hospitality or customer service experience for its cabin crew applicants.
Your experience does not necessarily have to come from an airline.
Hotels, restaurants, retail, hospitality and other customer facing roles can help you develop relevant skills.
3. Develop your communication skills
Do not only practise memorised interview answers.
Learn how to communicate naturally.
4. Learn about aviation
Understand the role of cabin crew.
Know the difference between safety duties and service duties.
Understand basic aviation terminology.
5. Research the airline
Do not walk into an interview knowing only the airline’s name and the colour of its uniform.
Know its history, brand, network and values.
6. Prepare financially
If you are considering travelling to another country for recruitment, create a realistic budget.
Your preparation should not leave you financially stranded.
7. Follow official recruitment channels
Recruitment scams exist.
Do not send money to someone simply because they claim to be recruiting for an airline.
Check the airline’s official careers website.
8. Build resilience
You will hear “no.”
Learn how to handle it.
What Kind of Person Makes a Good International Flight Attendant?
The answer may surprise you.
It is not necessarily the loudest person in the room.
It is not necessarily the person with the biggest personality.
And it is certainly not simply the person who looks good in a uniform.
A good flight attendant needs to know when to speak.
When to listen.
When to take control.
When to ask for help.
When to remain calm.
When to follow procedure.
When to show empathy.
And when to put safety ahead of everything else.
You need to be able to work with your colleagues even when you have completely different personalities.
That is teamwork.
You need to respect your superiors while also understanding your professional responsibilities.
That is professionalism.
You need to treat passengers with respect even when they are difficult.
That is emotional intelligence.
And you need to represent the airline positively.
That is being a brand ambassador.
So, Which Airline Should You Apply For?
If your goal is to become international cabin crew, don’t ask only:
“Which airline is the best?”
Ask:
“Which airline is best for me?”
Emirates could be right for someone who wants to build a career in Dubai with an established global airline.
Delta could be right for someone who meets its United States employment requirements and wants to build a career within a major American airline.
Riyadh Air could appeal to someone interested in joining a new airline and being part of its development as it builds its international operation.
None of these choices automatically makes one person more successful than another.
Your career is personal.
Your priorities are personal.
Your circumstances are personal.
Choose accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions About International Flight Attendant Jobs
Can someone from Africa become a flight attendant for an international airline?
Yes, depending on the airline’s eligibility requirements and recruitment strategy. However, meeting the general requirements does not guarantee employment. You must also meet the specific legal, work authorisation and recruitment requirements of the airline.
Do Emirates recruit cabin crew in Africa?
Emirates conducts recruitment activities in different locations around the world. Recruitment locations change, so candidates should check the airline’s official careers page for current recruitment events.
Can I travel to another African country for an airline recruitment exercise?
Yes, candidates can consider travelling for a legitimate recruitment event if they meet the requirements and can comfortably afford the trip. However, attending the event does not guarantee a job.
Is Delta hiring international applicants?
Delta’s current flight attendant requirements state that applicants must be legally authorised to work in the United States.
What qualifications do I need to become an international flight attendant?
Requirements vary by airline. Common requirements can include minimum age, education, English proficiency, customer service experience, medical and physical requirements, legal work eligibility and the ability to meet the airline’s specific employment conditions.
Is being a flight attendant all about travelling?
No.
Travel is one of the attractive parts of the profession, but cabin crew are primarily safety and service professionals. You are trained to respond to emergencies, assist passengers, follow aviation procedures and work effectively as part of a crew.
Final Boarding Call
If you are sitting somewhere in Africa dreaming about becoming cabin crew for Emirates, Delta, Riyadh Air or another international airline, I want you to remember something.
Do not disqualify yourself before the airline does.
If the airline is not recruiting in your country today, that does not mean it will never recruit there.
If you see a legitimate recruitment event in another country and you can afford to attend, it may be worth considering.
If you get rejected, learn.
If you get another opportunity, prepare again.
If one airline does not fit your life, look at another.
The aviation industry is much bigger than one airline.
And your dream of becoming a flight attendant should not be limited to one uniform.
Keep learning.
Keep preparing.
Keep watching the recruitment pages.
Keep improving yourself.
And when the right opportunity comes, be ready.
Because sometimes the difference between the person who gets the opportunity and the person who misses it is simply this:
One person was ready when the door opened.
Sources and official career pages
For current requirements and recruitment information, always verify directly with the airline:
Delta Flight Attendant Careers
Important: Airline requirements, recruitment locations and application windows can change. The information above reflects the official airline information available at the time of writing.