Emirates opens Dh29 million hospitality centre to train 25,000 cabin crew
New facility blends Michelin-level hospitality with world-class aviation training
DUBAI – Emirates has inaugurated a new Dh29 million ($8 million) world-class facility in Dubai designed to provide an elevated training experience for nearly 25,000 cabin crew, focused on the art of hospitality excellence.
The Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence features an elegant restaurant and lounge accommodating 170 guests, presentation kitchens, and eight technology-enabled classrooms. By the end of this year, over 10,000 Emirates cabin crew will have completed training in the new facility.
The centre serves as the hub of Emirates’ elevated hospitality strategy, developed in partnership with Switzerland’s Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, one of the world’s leading hospitality management schools. Modelled on Michelin-star standards, the training modules cover fine dining service, premium guest engagement, and presentation finesse—reflecting Emirates’ four hospitality pillars: excellence, attentiveness, innovation, and passion.
Thomas Ney, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President of Service Delivery, said: “We have invested in the highest levels of luxury hospitality training for our cabin crew, enabling them to really relate to the customers they serve and create unforgettable signature moments. This is how we empower world-class cabin crew.”
Immersive dining experience
Taking hospitality to new heights, the Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence provides an immersive fine dining experience for its cabin crew. In an elaborate 4-course gastronomy lunch, trainees dine as guests, sampling dishes curated by Emirates’ master chefs. These meals feature some of the airline’s most celebrated First and Business Class creations, all served by elite trainers who model the service excellence expected onboard.
This setting allows crew to experience the same luxury and personal touch that passengers enjoy. It forms part of Emirates’ broader commitment to “7-star hospitality”—an internal standard that promotes authenticity, warmth, and personalised attention during every customer interaction.
The training experience is not limited to newcomers; experienced crew members also return for refresher and upgrade sessions throughout their careers, ensuring that Emirates’ service remains consistent and exceptional across its global network.
Culinary mastery and training
At the heart of the facility lies a purpose-built training kitchen, designed as a hybrid between a professional restaurant kitchen and an airline galley. In this culinary hub, Emirates’ chef trainers teach the delicate art of plating—balancing colour, texture, and form—to create visually captivating dishes. The sessions go beyond technique, focusing on presentation that elevates the overall sensory dining experience.
Crew also participate in “The Art of Service” course, a communication-focused programme that delves into the psychology behind fine dining. The course encourages cabin crew to move beyond procedural service, focusing instead on emotional intelligence, listening skills, and anticipation of customer needs. Inspired by global Michelin-starred hospitality, this training reinforces Emirates’ commitment to blending refinement with genuine human connection.
L’Art du Vin experience
Wine appreciation is another key element of the Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence. Through its L’art du vin training, cabin crew explore Emirates’ award-winning onboard wine collection under the guidance of professional sommeliers and wine trainers.
Originally launched in mid-2024 at the Emirates Cabin Crew Training Centre, the L’art du vin programme includes three progressive courses: Introduction, Business Class, and First Class. Each level offers a hands-on tasting of Emirates’ inflight wine selection, complemented by lessons on wine heritage, tasting techniques, and food pairing recommendations.
The dedicated wine tasting space replicates a luxury lounge atmosphere, allowing participants to gain real-world experience in recommending and presenting wines with confidence and elegance.
Beyond the skies
The Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence is the latest addition to the airline’s growing suite of advanced training facilities. Earlier this year, Emirates opened a new Crew Zone at its Group Headquarters in Dubai—a 24/7 hub offering educational workshops, wellbeing programmes, and tech-enabled workspaces.
Recruited from over 140 countries and speaking more than 70 languages, Emirates’ 25,000-strong cabin crew are the face of the airline’s global service identity. Each undergoes an intensive eight-week training programme covering corporate onboarding, safety and emergency procedures, medical training, aviation security, and Emirates’ signature service standards.
Practical sessions take place in full-motion simulators replicating the interiors of Emirates’ aircraft, providing crew with real-world experience before they step onboard. Throughout their careers, cabin crew continue to receive advanced training, ensuring their skills evolve alongside Emirates’ premium service offerings.
For aspiring cabin crew, Emirates continues to host global recruitment drives, with details and open day schedules available at the official website.