Etihad Airways | A320 Captain

Aviation Captain, Airbus Wide-Body | Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, offers an extraordinary opportunity for highly skilled Aviation Captains to join its rapidly expanding team in Abu Dhabi. With a clear vision to double its fleet by 2030 and significant investments in future growth, Etihad is redefining global aviation. The airline has demonstrated remarkable performance, carrying over 10 million guests and launching 27 new destinations in 2025 alone, recording its strongest half-year profit in history. This dynamic environment is complemented by a commitment to providing pilots with exceptional careers, fostering innovation, sustainability, and world-class service.

The Opportunity in Abu Dhabi

Based in Abu Dhabi, consistently ranked as the world's safest city, Captains and their families can enjoy a vibrant, cosmopolitan lifestyle. This unique opportunity is enhanced by tax-free salaries, concessionary travel, comprehensive benefits, and extensive opportunities for professional advancement within Etihad Airways, both inside and beyond the cockpit.

Role Overview - Aviation Captain

As an Aviation Captain with Etihad Airways, the incumbent holds ultimate authority for the safe, secure, and efficient operation of every flight. This critical leadership role encompasses technical command of the aircraft, comprehensive management of the crew, and the steadfast responsibility to uphold Etihad's industry-leading standards of professionalism and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensuring the paramount safety and security of all crew, passengers, cargo, and aircraft at all times.
• Exercising full command and control of the aircraft from initial taxi-out to final engine shutdown.
• Leading and managing both flight and cabin crew, demonstrating robust decision-making capabilities and effective crew resource management.
• Operating flights with optimal efficiency and environmental responsibility, in strict adherence to company fuel and sustainability policies.
• Delivering consistent On-Time Performance to meet Etihad's unwavering commitment to reliability and superior guest satisfaction.

Compensation and Benefits Package

Etihad Airways offers a highly competitive, tax-free remuneration package meticulously designed to reward exceptional performance and support a high-quality lifestyle in Abu Dhabi. The annual compensation package includes basic salary, flying pay, housing allowance, and generous layover and meal allowances. Captains have the potential to earn up to AED 637,304 (approximately USD 171,589) per year, based on 75 flying hours per month. This compensation is complemented by performance-based annual increments and a comprehensive range of benefits, including:

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

Required Qualifications and Experience

Prospective Captains must meet the following stringent criteria:

• A minimum of 7,000 hours of total flying time.
• A minimum of 2,500 hours of Pilot In Command (PIC) on multi-crew, glass cockpit (1) jet aircraft.
• A minimum of 1,500 hours of PIC on any Airbus wide-body Fly-by-Wire (FBW) aircraft.
• A valid type rating on any Airbus FBW aircraft, which must remain current for a minimum of two months at the anticipated date of joining.
• Possession of an unrestricted and current ICAO Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL).
• Demonstrated recent experience, having flown any Airbus FBW aircraft within the last 12 months.
• For candidates currently rated on A320, a previous type-rating on A350/A380 aircraft is mandatory.
• An unrestricted and current Class 1 Medical Certificate.
• Maximum age of 59 years on the date of joining.
• English Language Fluency (written and verbal) at ICAO Level 4 or higher.
• For hours accumulated on flights with in-flight relief, 75% of the total hours will be counted towards the required minimums.

(1) Glass Cockpit: Defined as aircraft equipped with a Flight Management System (FMS) coupled to an Automatic Pilot Flight Director System (APFDS).

About Etihad Airways

Established in 2003, Etihad Airways has swiftly risen to become one of the world's leading airlines. Operating from its strategic hub in Abu Dhabi, Etihad connects passengers and cargo to destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. Through extensive codeshare partnerships, the airline's network provides access to hundreds of international locations. Etihad has consistently received numerous accolades for its superior service, products, cargo offerings, and loyalty program, all integral to its ambitious Journey 2030 strategy, which aims to significantly expand its fleet and customer base over the next six years, aspiring to be the airline everyone wants to fly.