First Officer - Etihad Airways

About Etihad Airways & The Opportunity

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, invites skilled and dedicated aviation professionals to join its esteemed flight deck team. With a foundation established in 2003, Etihad has rapidly ascended to become one of the world's leading airlines, operating from its strategic hub in Abu Dhabi. The airline proudly serves a vast network of passenger and cargo destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America, further expanded through robust codeshare partnerships.

This is an extraordinary period of growth and transformation for Etihad. In 2025 alone, the airline transported over 10 million guests, launched 27 new destinations, and reported its strongest half-year profit in history. With more than 20 new aircraft slated for arrival this year and an ambitious strategy to double its fleet by 2030, Etihad is making significant investments in the future of global aviation.

Etihad is committed to providing its pilots with exceptional careers, mirroring its dedication to innovation, sustainability, and world-class service for guests. Pilots joining Etihad will discover a vibrant, cosmopolitan lifestyle in Abu Dhabi, ranked the world's safest city in 2025, complemented by an attractive, tax-free remuneration package, comprehensive benefits, concessionary travel, and unparalleled opportunities for professional advancement within and beyond the cockpit.

First Officer Role Summary

The First Officer serves as a vital member of the flight deck team, collaborating closely with the Captain to ensure the safe, secure, and efficient operation of all flights. This role demands exceptional professionalism, technical proficiency, and robust teamwork, alongside a commitment to developing the leadership capabilities essential for future command responsibilities within Etihad Airways.

Key Responsibilities

Assisting the Captain in all facets of flight preparation, navigation, and operation, strictly adhering to Etihad's operating procedures and international regulatory standards.
Conducting continuous and independent monitoring of aircraft position, surrounding terrain, and prevailing weather conditions to ensure optimal safety and navigation at all times.
Providing clear, concise communication, informed advice, and unwavering support to the Captain, thereby contributing to sound and efficient decision-making processes.
Maintaining exemplary standards of discipline, conduct, and personal presentation, consistently representing Etihad Airways with professionalism across all operational environments.
Assuming command in the event of Captain incapacitation, in strict accordance with established rank protocols and company procedures.

Compensation and Benefits

Etihad Airways offers a highly competitive, tax-free remuneration package structured to reward exceptional performance and support a premium lifestyle in Abu Dhabi. The annual package comprises a basic salary, flying pay, housing allowance, and comprehensive layover and meal allowances. Based on 75 flying hours per month, a First Officer has the potential to earn up to AED 513,732 (approximately USD 138,318) annually. This package also includes performance-based annual increments and is complemented by a robust suite of benefits designed for the well-being of the pilot and their family:

Education Allowance: Up to AED 40,000 for primary education and AED 55,000 for secondary education per child, for up to three children.
Income Protection Scheme: Providing financial security.
Annual Leave: A generous provision of 42 days per year.
Travel Benefits: Industry-leading staff travel benefits and exclusive access to Etihad's extensive discount programs.
End-of-Service Benefits: Comprehensive gratuity provisions.
Insurance Coverage: Accidental and life insurance for peace of mind.

Qualifications and Requirements

Prospective First Officers must satisfy the following stringent criteria to be considered for this role:

Total Flying Time: A minimum of 2,500 hours.
Multi-Crew/Glass Cockpit Experience: A minimum of 1,500 hours on multi-crew, glass cockpit (1) aircraft, or high-performance military jets.
Airbus Wide-body Experience: A minimum of 1,000 hours on A330, A340, A350, or A380 aircraft.
Type Rating Validity: Current type rating on any Airbus Fly-by-Wire (FBW) aircraft, valid for a minimum of 2 months at the time of joining.
ATPL: A current and unrestricted ICAO Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). Frozen ATPLs are not accepted unless held by a UAE citizen.
Recent Flying Experience: Must have flown any Airbus FBW aircraft within the last 12 months.
Specific A320/A350/A380 Requirement: If currently type-rated on an A320, a previous type rating on an A350 or A380 is mandatory.
Medical Certificate: An unrestricted, current Class 1 medical certificate.
Age Limit: Maximum age of 50 years on the date of joining.
English Language Proficiency: English Language Fluency (written and verbal) at ICAO Level 4 or higher.
Flight Hours Calculation: For hours accumulated on flights with in-flight relief, 75% of the total hours will be counted towards the required minimums.

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