What does Etihad publish about pilot pay?

Etihad's pilot vacancies quote a ceiling for the annual package. In October 2026, the First Officer A320 and A330 vacancies quote up to AED 513,732 (USD 138,318) a year, based on 75 flying hours a month. The Captain A320 and A330 vacancies quote up to AED 674,029 (USD 181,589) a year on the same basis. The package includes basic salary, flying pay, a housing allowance, and layover and meal allowances, and Etihad describes it as tax-free. Salaries include performance-based annual increments.12345

What else comes with the job?

The vacancies list an education allowance of up to AED 40,000 for primary and AED 55,000 for secondary school per child, for up to three children, along with 42 days of annual leave. They also mention an income protection scheme, end-of-service benefits, accident and life insurance, and staff travel. For relocation to Abu Dhabi, Etihad offers a shipping container allowance, settling-in support and family travel from any location in the world.1

What experience does Etihad ask for?

A First Officer A320 needs either 2,000 hours total with 1,500 hours multi-crew glass cockpit and 500 hours on type, or 1,500 hours total with 1,000 hours on the A320 family, and a frozen ATPL is accepted with ATPL theory results and an integrated ATPL course certificate. A First Officer A330 needs at least 2,500 hours total and 1000 hours on type. A Captain A320 needs at least 5500 hours total, 2500 hours as PIC on glass cockpit, multi-crew types and 1500 PIC hours on the A320 family. A Captain A330 needs at least 7000 hours total, 2500 PIC hours as commander and 1500 PIC hours on type. Both Captain vacancies set an upper joining age of 59.1234

What about cadets and recruitment?

The Cadet Pilot Programme is open to UAE nationals only. Cadets are paid AED 5,000 a month during the first two years of training, AED 16,667 plus allowances after the License Skill Test, and AED 24,000 after line training, rising in steps to a cap of AED 34,000 a month. After gaining an ATPL, they are promoted to Senior First Officer on AED 39,853 a month. In July 2025, once Wizz Air had said it would leave Abu Dhabi, Etihad chief executive Antonoaldo Neves told Khaleej Times that the airline was open to hiring Wizz Air Abu Dhabi staff and planned to recruit about 350 pilots a year over five years. According to afm.aero, Etihad took on around 400 pilots in 2025.678