Selection process · tests · interview · simulator check
Emirates pilot assessment
Updated October 2026 · SET STANDARD
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Emirates is in a multi-year widebody hiring drive, running worldwide roadshows into early 2027 for First Officers, Accelerated Command and Direct Entry Captains as A350s arrive and the 777-9 nears delivery.
Emirates is the international airline of Dubai and part of the state-owned Emirates Group, alongside dnata. It runs an all-widebody fleet built around the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 from its Dubai International hub, using a global hub-and-spoke model that connects passengers between Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas and Australia via Dubai. Its history, from two wet-leased aircraft in 1985 to a global network, shows a culture of ambition, long-range planning and high standards.
Key facts
| Fleet | 277 widebodies at 31 Mar 2026: 116 A380, 142 B777 (incl. freighters), 19 A350; 27 A350s delivered by Oct 2026 |
|---|---|
| Orders | 367 at 31 Mar 2026: 270 777X (777-9/-8), 54 A350, 35 787, 8 777F; first 777-9 expected mid-2027 |
| Bases | Single base: Dubai International (DXB); passenger move to Dubai World Central targeted around 2032 |
| Pilots | About 5,000 pilots from 140+ nationalities; 450+ recruited in FY2025-26 |
| Hiring 2026 | Roadshows across Europe, Asia, Americas and Africa running to Feb 2027; stated plan of about 5,000 pilots over eight years |
| Entry routes | DE First Officer (2,000 h), Accelerated Command (5,000 h), Direct Entry Captain (7,000 h), Narrowbody-to-Widebody DEC campaign, UAE National Cadet (EFTA) |
Entry routes and requirements
UAE National Cadet Pilot Programme (Emiratisation)
UAE nationals with no flying experience
- No licence required
- Age 18-21 (high school graduates) or 21-26 (diploma/degree holders)
- Valid UAE passport and Khulasat Al Qaid; National Service completed where applicable
- Medically fit, BMI 29 or less, minimum height 160 cm
Emirates Flight Training Academy - international self-sponsored cadet (ATPL integrated)
International applicants who fund their own training
- Age 18-21 (high school) or 21-26 (degree holders)
- High school min 80% with Maths and Physics, or degree GPA 3.0+ in a scientific/engineering major
- IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL PBT 510 / iBT 65
- Medically fit (GCAA Class 1), min height 160 cm, BMI 29 or less
First Officer (direct entry)
Experienced multi-crew jet/turboprop pilots
- Valid ICAO ATPL (frozen ATPL holders may be considered on FATPL terms per some listings) and Class 1 medical
- Min 2,000 h on multi-crew jets of 20 t MTOW or more (narrow-body time counts; widebody not required)
- Current Boeing or Airbus FBW experience with min 150 h on type in the last 12 months
- ICAO English Level 4 minimum (Level 5+ for the enhanced package)
Accelerated Command
Current narrow-body captains (Airbus FBW / Boeing) who join as widebody First Officers
- Currently flying as captain on multi-crew commercial jets
- Min 5,000 h total (P3, rotary and piston excluded) incl. min 2,000 h command on jets over 50 t MTOW
- Min 1,000 h PIC on Boeing or Airbus and 150 h on type in the last 12 months
- ICAO ATPL, Class 1 medical, ICAO English Level 5+
Direct Entry Captain (Airbus A350/A380) and Narrowbody-to-Widebody DEC campaign
Current Airbus FBW captains
- Valid ICAO ATPL with current type rating
- Min 7,000 h on multi-crew, multi-engine turboprop/turbojet aircraft in the operating seat (simulator, P3, rotary and piston excluded)
- A350: min 3,000 h PIC on any Airbus FBW type (A320/A330/A340/A350/A380); A380: min 3,000 h PIC on Airbus FBW widebody (A330/A340/A350/A380); A220 excluded
- Currently flying as Airbus FBW captain with min 150 h as captain in the last 12 months
The selection process, step by step
- Online application / roadshow attendanceonline (Emirates Group Careers); optional in-person roadshow info session
Candidates register/apply on the Emirates Group Careers pilot portal with CV, passport, licence, medical and logbook totals. Emirates runs roadshow information sessions worldwide (2026: UK/Ireland May, Hong Kong/Singapore July, Madrid/Lisbon Aug, Seoul/Dublin/Gatwick/Manchester Sept, Milan/Rome/Budapest/Athens and Manila Oct, Mexico City/Sao Paulo Nov, Johannesburg/Cape Town Dec, running to Feb 2027).
- Recorded video interview (HireVue)video, asynchronous
Remote pre-recorded interview answering on-screen questions.
- Online psychometric and abstract reasoning assessmentsonline
Remote psychometric tests including abstract reasoning.
- Live digital panel interviewvideo, live panel
Live online panel interview as the final remote step before invitation to Dubai.
- Dubai assessment (two days)in person, Dubai
Shortlisted candidates travel to Dubai for two days (allow an extra travel day either side): simulator assessment, Advanced COMPASS and the Emirates medical; certified logbook and documents are checked. Return economy ticket for candidate and spouse provided.
- Offer and onboardingoffer
Offer: permanent open-ended contract (unless stated), six-month probation, USD 42,000 training bond over 42 months. Then visa, GCAA licence validation/conversion and joining date.
Aptitude and psychometric tests
- abstract reasoning
- psychometric/personality
- psychomotor
- multitasking
- spatial
- mental maths (cadets)
COMPASS (Symbiotics) - 'Advanced Compass' at the Dubai stage; COMPASS also used for national cadets · HireVue (recorded video interview)
The interview
Recorded HireVue interview, then live digital panel interview (direct entry); panel interview in Dubai for cadets
- Motivation for Emirates and relocation to Dubai
- CRM, leadership and decision-making examples
- Safety and professionalism
Typical questions to prepare
- Why Emirates?
- Why move to Dubai, and how does your family feel about it?
- Tell us about your current employer and why you want to leave.
- Describe a time you challenged a captain's decision.
- Tell us about a time you worked with a difficult colleague.
- Describe the most stressful situation you have faced in flight.
The simulator assessment
| Device | Level D FFS (type not published; reported B777 or A380; A350 FFS at the Crew Training Centre) |
|---|---|
| Where | Dubai (Emirates training facilities); in 2025 some Airbus-experienced candidates did a sim evaluation at London Gatwick first |
| Typical profile | Simulator assessment during the two-day Dubai stage; detailed profile not officially published. |
Language and after selection
ICAO English Level 4 minimum for FO; Level 5+ for DEC and enhanced FO packages. Cadets: IELTS 6.0 (national) / IELTS 5.5 per element or TOEFL 510 (EFTA).
Relocation to Dubai (rent-free accommodation, education allowance, provident fund: 12% employer / 5% employee of basic). Type rating in Dubai (B777 40-55 days, A380 45-55 days, cadet B777 approx. 110 days, incl. ground school, FFS and LIFUS).
Common reasons candidates fail
- Logbook totals that do not match the application or the posting's definitions (operating-seat time, MTOW, PIC on type)
- Weak CRM in the sim: flying alone, poor communication with the other pilot
- Inaccurate raw-data flying and poor scan when the automation is removed
- Low Advanced COMPASS scores, especially multitasking and the professional-knowledge module
- Generic motivation with no real plan for relocating the family to Dubai
Get the complete Emirates Assessment Guide
204 pages: company history and culture, every stage of the selection, model interview answers, technical refresher, Boeing 777 / Airbus A380 / A350 systems and simulator assessment preparation. Updated for 2026.
Look inside the guideStatus: available · current to October 2026
About this guide
- Format
- PDF (bookmarked, iPad-optimised)
- Language
- English
- Edition
- Ed 2026 · Revision 1.0
- Current to
- October 2026
- Pages
- 204
- Status
- Available
- Licence
- Personal, single user · see licence terms
- Updates
- Update policy to be announced before sales open
- Simulator stage
- Covered as reported by candidates and public sources
Independent publication. Facts in this overview are labelled “reported” when they come from candidate reports rather than official sources — see the editorial standards. Notify me about this guide · See it in the catalogue
Practice questions: company knowledge
Interview practice drawn from public sources; the answers are not an FAQ about the guide.
When did Emirates operate its first flight and on which route?
25 October 1985, EK600 Dubai to Karachi
Who owns Emirates?
The Investment Corporation of Dubai (Government of Dubai)
Who is Emirates' Chairman and Chief Executive?
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum
Who is President of Emirates airline?
Sir Tim Clark
Name the two Emirati deputy presidents seen as Clark's possible successors.
Adel Al Redha (COO) and Adnan Kazim (CCO)
How many aircraft did Emirates have at 31 March 2026?
277
Preparation guides
Other airline assessments
Main sources
https://afm.aero/emirates-continues-september-2026-pilot-recruitment-roadshow-across-south-korea-ireland-and-uk
https://external.emiratesgroupcareers.com/en_US/careersmarketplace/JobDetail?jobId=186
https://external.emiratesgroupcareers.com/en_US/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/Cadet-Pilot/134
https://www.emiratesflighttrainingacademy.com/media/zpylgkgl/emirates-flight-training-academy-faqs_april-01-2024-72.pdf
https://afm.aero/emirates-seeks-airbus-captains-as-a350-deliveries-drive-network-growth-in-2026
SET STANDARD is an independent training publisher, not affiliated with Emirates. Information compiled from public sources and candidate reports; always confirm with the airline’s official careers page.