Compare / EK vs BA
Emirates vs British Airways
Two very different offers for the same job. Here is what actually separates Emirates and British Airways for cabin crew — pay, roster, rules and who each one suits.
Emirates
EK · Dubai
8.2
crew score
British Airways
BA · London Heathrow
7.1
crew score
Choose Emirates if…
- ✓Starting pay is higher — about 24% more per month
- ✓Income is tax-free, so the headline figure is what you keep
- ✓Company housing removes rent from your monthly costs
- ✓Kinder roster (7.2 vs 6.8)
- ✓Better layovers and lifestyle (8.8 vs 7.6)
Choose British Airways if…
- ✓Bigger network: ~200 destinations vs ~140
Side by side
| Emirates | British Airways | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry pay / month | $2,700-$3,400 | $2,100-$2,800 |
| Senior pay / month | $3,800-$5,200 | $3,300-$5,100 |
| Tax-free | Yes | No |
| Housing | Company housing | Not provided |
| Base | Dubai | London Heathrow |
| Type | Full-service | Full-service |
| Fleet | ~260 | ~280 |
| Destinations | ~140 | ~200 |
| Alliance | None | oneworld |
| Minimum age | 21 | 18 |
| Reach / height | 212 cm reach | 201 cm reach |
| Visible tattoos | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Language beyond English | None required | None required |
Crew scores compared
Emirates
British Airways
Apply
Emirates
Open Days running across Europe, Asia and Africa through 2026; online application with video interview also open.
British Airways
Recruiting on a rolling basis for Heathrow crew and periodically for Gatwick-based BA Euroflyer; applications processed year-round with intakes most months.
Still torn? Let the data decide.
Tax-free money or home every night? Fast promotion or a calm roster? Seven questions, ranked against pay, lifestyle, career and hiring data.
Frequently asked questions
Does Emirates or British Airways pay cabin crew more?
Emirates pays more at entry level: about $2,700-$3,400 a month against $2,100-$2,800. Remember to weigh tax status and housing before comparing headline figures.
Which is easier to get into, Emirates or British Airways?
Emirates is actively hiring (Open Days running across Europe, Asia and Africa through 2026; online application with video interview also open.) while British Airways is actively hiring (Recruiting on a rolling basis for Heathrow crew and periodically for Gatwick-based BA Euroflyer; applications processed year-round with intakes most months.) Requirements differ too — check both requirement pages before deciding where to spend your effort.
Emirates or British Airways — which is better for a first cabin crew job?
Emirates scores higher overall in our index (8.2 vs 7.1), but "better" depends on what you want: money, roster, promotion speed or where you live. The reasons listed above split it by priority.