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What are the requirements to become a pilot at Emirates?
By the PilotinQ editorial teamUpdated 25 Oct 2026
THE ANSWER40 sec read

To join Emirates as a first officer you need English ELP 4 or higher, current Boeing or Airbus fly-by-wire experience, 2,000+ total flying hours, a valid ICAO ATPL with an unrestricted Class 1 medical and at least 150 hours in the past 12 months on type. Direct Entry Captains start from 7,000 hours and Accelerated Command from 5,000 hours.1617

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Updated 25 Oct 2026All 18 sources →

The route, step by step

The requirements at a glance
The enhanced First Officer package requires at least 4,000 total flying hours on a jet above 20 tonnes (excluding P3 and rotary) at the time of assessment, at least 2,000 hours on fixed-wing multi-crew commercial jets above 50 tonnes, and English ELP 5 or higher. The National Cadet Pilot Programme for UAE nationals starts from 0 hours.1617
Exceptions and borderline cases
The Emirates Flight Training Academy offers a scholarship programme for UAE nationals and an international cadet programme with a fee, and you do not need any flying experience to apply.18
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AIRLINES

What are the requirements to become a pilot at Emirates?

By the PilotinQ editorial teamUpdated 25 Oct 2026
THE ANSWER40 sec read

To join Emirates as a first officer you need English ELP 4 or higher, current Boeing or Airbus fly-by-wire experience, 2,000+ total flying hours, a valid ICAO ATPL with an unrestricted Class 1 medical and at least 150 hours in the past 12 months on type. Direct Entry Captains start from 7,000 hours and Accelerated Command from 5,000 hours.1617

Was this useful?
Updated 25 Oct 2026All 18 sources →

Step by step

The requirements at a glance
The enhanced First Officer package requires at least 4,000 total flying hours on a jet above 20 tonnes (excluding P3 and rotary) at the time of assessment, at least 2,000 hours on fixed-wing multi-crew commercial jets above 50 tonnes, and English ELP 5 or higher. The National Cadet Pilot Programme for UAE nationals starts from 0 hours.1617
Exceptions and borderline cases
The Emirates Flight Training Academy offers a scholarship programme for UAE nationals and an international cadet programme with a fee, and you do not need any flying experience to apply.18
SOURCES
  1. Pilot community experience15 discussions · 2005-2022
  2. 16First OfficerEmirates Group Careers
  3. 17PilotsEmirates Group Careers
  4. 18AdmissionsEmirates Flight Training Academy
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