Emirates opens the Centre of Hospitality Excellence to train 25,000 cabin crew

International

Emirates has inaugurated the Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence, a new USD 8 million facility in Dubai dedicated to elevating the airline’s cabin crew training to the highest standards of global luxury hospitality

Designed to serve nearly 25,000 Emirates cabin crew, the centre provides immersive, fine-dining and service training experiences inspired by the world’s top restaurants and hospitality schools.

A new benchmark for inflight hospitality

The state-of-the-art training hub includes a 170-seat restaurant and lounge, presentation kitchens, and eight digital classrooms. By the end of 2025, more than 10,000 Emirates cabin crew will have completed training at the new centre.

The facility builds on Emirates’ partnership with Switzerland’s renowned Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, established in 2020 to redefine Emirates’ service philosophy. Today, the new centre stands as a symbol of Emirates’ four hospitality pillars: excellence, attentiveness, innovation, and passion.

Thomas Ney, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President of Service Delivery, said:

“Emirates continues to uplift the ‘fly better’ experience for our customers. We have invested in world-class hospitality training that enables our crew to connect authentically with the people they serve and create unforgettable moments. This is how we empower truly world-class cabin crew.”

Immersive fine dining for cabin crew

At the heart of the new centre is an experiential fine-dining concept where cabin crew dine as guests in a four-course gourmet setting, curated by Emirates’ master chefs. They experience firsthand the cuisine, beverages, and ambience that define Emirates’ onboard service — an exercise designed to teach empathy, awareness, and authenticity.

Culinary artistry and plating perfection

A dedicated training kitchen blends the design of a professional restaurant kitchen with an airline galley, where Emirates’ master chefs coach crew in the art of plating and presentation. The sessions focus on visual harmony, texture, and balance – ensuring every dish looks and feels as refined as those served in Emirates’ First and Business Class cabins.

The Art of Service – mastering poise and presence

The Art of Service course goes beyond technique to explore the emotional dimension of hospitality. Cabin crew learn to interpret subtle guest cues, anticipate needs, and engage with poise and empathy. The programme was developed through extensive research across Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hotels, combining service finesse with emotional intelligence and cross-cultural awareness.

L’art du Vin – cultivating wine expertise

The Centre of Hospitality Excellence will also host L’art du Vin, Emirates’ bespoke wine education series for cabin crew. Led by professional sommeliers, the programme offers three progressive levels – Introduction, Business Class, and First Class – covering tasting techniques, vineyard heritage, and food pairing. The training takes place in a lounge-style classroom where cabin crew sample Emirates’ exclusive onboard wine collection.

The latest addition to Emirates’ world-class training ecosystem

The new centre complements Emirates’ extensive Crew Training Centre and the recently opened Crew Zone at Emirates Group Headquarters, which provides 24/7 support, workshops, wellness areas, and digital learning hubs.

With a multicultural team of 25,000 cabin crew representing over 140 nationalities and speaking 70+ languages, Emirates’ commitment to service excellence remains unmatched. Each new recruit completes an intensive eight-week training programme, combining theory and practical experience, including safety, medical, and service training in full-motion aircraft simulators.

Emirates continues to recruit cabin crew globally. Aspiring candidates can explore opportunities and open-day schedules at www.emiratesgroupcareers.com/cabin-crew.