Emirates has launched a new USD 8 million training facility in Dubai designed to redefine the art of inflight hospitality.
The Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence will train nearly 25,000 cabin crew in elevated service techniques, with more than 10,000 expected to complete the programme by year-end.
The centre features a restaurant and lounge for 170 guests, eight tech-enabled classrooms, and elegant presentation kitchens. It marks the culmination of Emirates’ collaboration with Switzerland’s Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, one of the world’s leading hospitality schools, which began in 2020 to develop a new service philosophy rooted in four pillars: excellence, attentiveness, innovation, and passion.
Thomas Ney, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President of Service Delivery, said:
“We’ve invested in the highest levels of luxury hospitality training to empower our crew to create unforgettable signature moments. This immersive experience allows them to sample the cuisine, the ambiance, and the service Emirates is renowned for.”
Immersive fine dining and culinary coaching
One of the centre’s standout features is a four-course gastronomy lunch, where cabin crew dine as guests. Curated by Emirates’ master chefs, the experience showcases First and Business Class dishes served by elite trainers—modelling the brand’s seven-star hospitality goals.
In the purpose-built training kitchen, crew learn the art of plating, balancing texture, colour, and form. The space fuses the precision of a restaurant kitchen with the constraints of an airline galley, preparing crew to deliver visually striking meals at altitude.
The art of service and emotional intelligence
The Art of Service course goes beyond technical finesse, focusing on presence, poise, and emotional intelligence. Crew are trained to interpret subtle cues, anticipate needs, and personalise interactions—skills drawn from research across Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hotels.
Wine education with L’art du vin
The centre also hosts Emirates’ L’art du vin programme, offering tiered wine education tailored to service levels. Crew taste Emirates’ onboard selection while learning about heritage, terroir, and food pairing—enhancing their confidence and sophistication in passenger engagement.
A holistic approach to crew development
The new facility complements Emirates’ existing training ecosystem, including the 24/7 Crew Zone at Group Headquarters. All cabin crew undergo an eight-week onboarding programme covering safety, medical, and service modules, with ongoing training throughout their careers.
With crew recruited from over 140 countries and speaking more than 70 languages, Emirates continues to invest in its people as the cornerstone of its brand promise. The Centre of Hospitality Excellence is not just a training ground—it’s a statement of intent.
For those aspiring to join Emirates’ cabin crew, recruitment is ongoing. Details and open day schedules are available at emiratesgroupcareers.com/cabin-crew emirates.com.