I visited Emirates Aviation Training College in Dubai where Emirates trained their cabin crew.
The new Emirates cabin crew (ab initio) went through 8 weeks of intensive training and exams to be qualified to fly.
Watch this behind-the-scenes vlog on cabin crew training including safety and emergency procedure (SEP), First Aid Training, Image/uniform and cabin service delivery.
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Emirates Aviation Training College is also the world's largest Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 training facility— including flight simulators, pool for ditching exercises, emergency slides and real firefighting simulators.
Safety & Emergency Procedure (SEP)
I was given a behind-the-scenes tour of Emirates' new cabin crew training including safety and emergency procedure (SEP) such as sliding, aircraft ditching, smoke and fire in the cabin.
Not many training facilities have the double-decker A380, sliding down from the upper deck was incredibly exhilarating! Watch my video to see how I went! All ab initio (trainee) need to complete the evacuation process within 90 seconds.
After some sliding to warm up the body, it is time to ditch into the swimming pool to cool yourself down!
After setting up the canopy, it is time to ditch the float and swim in the sea!
Next, I attended smoke training, which requires you to wear protective headgear. A dummy baby is hidden in the airplane cabin, the new cabin crew trainee needs to find the baby under smokey conditions.
First Aid Training
After the safety training, I observed First Aid Training (GMT) including CPR exercises and newborn baby delivery.
Watch the video for full training scenarios.
Image & Uniform Training
After that, I went to the Image and Uniform training.
Ab initio wears red polo shirt until their training in image and uniform. This is where they were given fresh uniforms and being taught the Emirates image and uniform standard.
Hair has to be tied back in a tight bun — secured with the Emirates red scrunchie. Makeup and red lipstick is to be applied. Finally, a lesson on how to wear the iconic Emirates hat with the veil.
Cabin Service Training
On my last stop, I went inside the mock-up aircraft trainer to observe the new cabin crew service delivery. The trainees go through a lot of practice in the mockup aircraft trainer.
Watch the video to see how they board passengers, assist special needs passengers, and deliver meals.
On average, 120 new recruits graduate from the Emirates Aviation Training College each week. They get to fly for 6 months under the supervision and guidance of their seniors onboard. The new recruits conclude the training program by attending a graduation ceremony to celebrate their success.
