Compare / QR vs EY
Qatar Airways vs Etihad Airways
Two very different offers for the same job. Here is what actually separates Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways for cabin crew — pay, roster, rules and who each one suits.
Qatar Airways
QR · Doha
7.7
crew score
Etihad Airways
EY · Abu Dhabi
7.8
crew score
Choose Qatar Airways if…
- ✓Starting pay is higher — about 2% more per month
- ✓Faster progression (career 8.2 vs 7.6)
- ✓Bigger network: ~170 destinations vs ~90
Choose Etihad Airways if…
- ✓Kinder roster (7.2 vs 6.6)
- ✓Better layovers and lifestyle (8.2 vs 7.8)
Side by side
| Qatar Airways | Etihad Airways | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry pay / month | $2,500-$3,300 | $2,500-$3,200 |
| Senior pay / month | $3,600-$5,000 | $3,500-$4,800 |
| Tax-free | Yes | Yes |
| Housing | Company housing | Company housing |
| Base | Doha | Abu Dhabi |
| Type | Full-service | Full-service |
| Fleet | ~250 | ~100 |
| Destinations | ~170 | ~90 |
| Alliance | oneworld | None |
| Minimum age | 21 | 21 |
| Reach / height | 212 cm reach | 212 cm reach |
| Visible tattoos | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Language beyond English | None required | None required |
Crew scores compared
Qatar Airways
Etihad Airways
Apply
Qatar Airways
Continuous recruitment with Open Days and invitation-only events worldwide through 2026 as the network and A321neo/777X fleet grow.
Etihad Airways
Ongoing global recruitment through 2026 to crew fleet growth toward Etihad's expanded network plan; assessment events across Europe, Asia and Africa.
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 Qatar Airways or Etihad Airways pay cabin crew more?
Qatar Airways pays more at entry level: about $2,500-$3,300 a month against $2,500-$3,200. Remember to weigh tax status and housing before comparing headline figures.
Which is easier to get into, Qatar Airways or Etihad Airways?
Qatar Airways is actively hiring (Continuous recruitment with Open Days and invitation-only events worldwide through 2026 as the network and A321neo/777X fleet grow.) while Etihad Airways is actively hiring (Ongoing global recruitment through 2026 to crew fleet growth toward Etihad's expanded network plan; assessment events across Europe, Asia and Africa.) Requirements differ too — check both requirement pages before deciding where to spend your effort.
Qatar Airways or Etihad Airways — which is better for a first cabin crew job?
Etihad Airways scores higher overall in our index (7.8 vs 7.7), but "better" depends on what you want: money, roster, promotion speed or where you live. The reasons listed above split it by priority.