Airline Captain jobs in United Arab Emirates

It’s an extraordinary time to join Etihad. In 2025 alone we’ve carried over 10 million guests, announced 30+ new destinations, and recorded the strongest half-year profit in our history. With more than 20 new aircraft arriving this year and a clear path to double our fleet by 2030, we’re investing heavily in the future and redefining what global aviation looks like.

Just as we push boundaries for our guests through innovation, sustainability, and world‑class service, we’re equally committed to providing our pilots with exceptional careers. Abu Dhabi, ranked the world’s safest city in 2025, offers a vibrant, cosmopolitan lifestyle for you and your family, complemented by tax‑free salaries, concessionary travel, comprehensive benefits, and endless opportunities for progression inside and beyond the cockpit.

Etihad provides a highly competitive, tax‑free package designed to reward performance and support your lifestyle in Abu Dhabi. Your annual package includes basic salary, flying pay, housing allowance, and layover and meal allowances, with the potential to earn up to AED 637,304 (USD 171,589) per year based on 75 flying hours per month. Your salary includes performance‑based annual increments, complemented by a comprehensive range of benefits:

• Education allowance of up to AED 40,000 for primary and AED 55,000 for secondary per child, for up to three children
• Income protection scheme
• 42 days of annual leave
• Industry‑leading staff travel benefits and access to Etihad’s exclusive discounts
• End‑of‑service benefits
• Accidental and life insurance coverage

As a Captain with Etihad, you hold ultimate authority for the safe, secure, and efficient operation of every flight. You are entrusted with technical command of the aircraft, leadership of the crew, and the responsibility to uphold Etihad’s highest standards of professionalism.

• Ensure the safety and security of crew, passengers, cargo, and aircraft at all times
• Exercise full command of the aircraft from taxi‑out to final engine shutdown
• Lead the flight and cabin crew, demonstrating strong decision‑making and effective crew resource management
• Operate with efficiency and environmental responsibility, in line with company fuel and sustainability policies
• Deliver consistent On Time Performance to meet Etihad’s commitment to reliability and guest satisfaction

To be considered for the role of Captain A320, you must meet the criteria below:

• A minimum of 5,500 hours total flying time.
• A minimum of 2,500 PIC hours on multi‑crew, glass cockpit (1)
• A minimum of 1,500 PIC hours on one of the A320 Family
• Flown A320 family within the last 12 months
• Type rating on A320 should be valid for a minimum of 2 months at the time of joining
• Unrestricted and current ICAO ATPL
• Current on A320
• Unrestricted and current Class 1 medical
• Have not attained the age of 59 years on the day of joining
• Current TRE/TRI is an advantage
• English Language Fluency (written and verbal) Level 4 or higher
• In case of hours accumulated on flights with in‑flight relief, 75% of the total hours shall be counted towards the required minimum

(1) Glass Cockpit: aircraft with a FMS coupled to APFDS

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, was formed in 2003 and quickly went on to become one of the world’s leading airlines. From its home in Abu Dhabi, Etihad flies to passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America. Together with Etihad’s codeshare partners, Etihad’s network offers access to hundreds of international destinations. In recent years, Etihad has received numerous awards for its superior service and products, cargo offering, loyalty programme and more. All this ties into Etihad’s ambitious Journey 2030 strategy. The airline plans to double its fleet size and triple the number of customers over the next six years as it sets out to be the airline everyone wants to fly!

Beware of fraudulent job offers from individuals or organizations claiming to represent the Etihad group. We will never ask for personal information, bank details, or payment during the recruitment process. Interviews are conducted face‑to‑face or via video/telephone before any formal offer. If you are asked for money, please treat it as fraudulent.