When you think of Emirates, what is the first thought which comes into your mind? Is it the signature uniform or maybe just how many flight connections they offer?
My thoughts about Emirates are always how comfortable it is to travel with them. And, of course, I always combine it with some lovely holidays spent somewhere in the world. But visiting the headquarters in Dubai during our study week gave us a great insight of the fourth largest airline in the world. More than 95,000 employees from 160 different countries make it possible, that 151 airports in 80 countries can be served. And the employees we met during our visit are really proud to work with them.
Our grand tour through the Emirates premises started with the training center for the cabin crew, where 100 new employees start their training each week. In the 6-week training session, they learn how to wear the unique uniform and how to look after themselves in respect to skin, make-up and hair style. But the training also covers safety, security, service and medical help. In the evacuation center the crew can train all possible emergency situations on different plane types and in a swimming pool (which is supposingly too cold to go swimming – but we weren’t allowed to try…) with evacuation slides.
The visit with Emirates ended with some “behind the scenes” from an experienced pilot. He told us stories which I’m not sure I really wanted to know. But – to sum the day up – it also gives me the guarantee that the crew is prepared in the best possible way for anything that could happen on board. And this makes me even more comfortable for my next flight.