Once check-in was completed, there was no need to search for the way to the gates; Pearl and Diamond Zone passengers proceed from the check-in counter directly to a private Immigration desk just metres away. Once through Immigration, the lounges await with complimentary internet access and an appealing array of periodicals and refreshments.

Like Schiphol in Amsterdam, security checks at Abu Dhabi Airport are conducted at each gate. The queue can stretch a bit of two flights are leaving from the same gate, but passengers on the earlier flight always have priority. Once through the X-ray machine, it was right onto the plane for the onboard welcome and pre-cocooning in a wonderfully private Pearl Zone seat.

The flight departed late due to the late arrival of (First Class) passengers connecting to this flight, but it arrived in Sydney fifteen minutes ahead of schedule. In between was a fine flight with the efficient cabin crew looking after the passengers with a quiet but dedicated work ethic. This flight was unusual in that it was a thirteen-hour overnight flight that leaves in the morning and arrives in the morning, so passengers occupied themselves with a variety of activities since they are all in different phases of their day. Further reinforcing Etihad’s internationality, flight attendants were from Africa, northern Europe, and Australia were on board to present Etihad’s fine cuisine and assist with passenger requests.

Have you ever seen stars on the ceilings of airplanes? Etihad’s ceiling panels look normal in normal light, but in a dimmed cabin, the stars come out. Lying back on the lie-flat seats evokes the feeling of flying on a magic carpet as the stars twinkle overhead. Seems like a detail based on style rather than practicality, but the stars are calming in their effect and thus serve an important purpose in setting a mood in the cabin. A special UAE-made blend of mint and spice tea helps move the imagination along the same direction.
Happily, arrival in Sydney was a snap. The walk from the aircraft door to the Immigration desk was the longest part of the arrival process. The bags were already appearing on the carousel as the first passengers to deplane were coming through Immigration; however the bags were moved off the plane so fast, it is commendable. No queue at Customs; it took less than ten minutes from exiting the plane to entering the taxi to go home.

Other than providing flight attendant preparatory course, Inter-Excel also specializes in outsourcing career opportunities in the aviation industry, specifically for flight attendants.

We’ve organised numerous successful cabin crew recruitment interviews for Qatar Airways (1999-2004), Etihad Airways,the national airline of the U.A.E. (2004-current), Gulf Air, Oman Air, Kuwait Airways, Sudan Airways, Sama Airlines, Royal Brunei and lately Air Asia & Royal Jordanian, we have organised their cabin crew recruitment in Malaysia as well as in overseas including for China, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore and Cambodia and Eastern Europe (in Burcharesti & Romania), Kiev etc.

Current Interview : ETIHAD AIRWAYS (Based in Abu Dhabi, UAE)

Fly with the World’s fastest growing Airline and

LET YOUR CAREER TAKE OFF.
Etihad Airways is the designated National Airline of the United Arab Emirates, which flies to destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America and Asia.
Etihad Airways now welcomes you to be a part of their cabin crew team.

Responsibilities:
• Responsible in taking care of passenger’s safety & comfort. Able to provide the highest standard of In-flight service.
Requirements:
• Presentable, dynamic and energetic personality
• Suitable career minded adults
• Min. Height is 162cm
• Arm reach of 214cm on tiptoes (barefoot)
• Minimum Secondary Education/ Diploma/ Degree in Any field
• Well educated with good command of English
• Ability to swim 25 metres in open water without aided devices.
• Previous Airline experience an advantage
• Minimum 2 years customer service / hospitality experienced preferred
• Able to read, write and speak Mandarin Language fluently
Benefits:
• Attractive Tax Free monthly salary of over US$2,600
• Free annual ticket & discounted tickets for family members
• 30 days annual leave
• Medical & hospitalisation benefits
• Free Fully furnished accomodation, Free utilities
• Free Uniform & laundry
• Transport to and from duty

The new club offers an array of state-of-the-art exercise and relaxation areas for any member of Etihad cabin crew including the 600 flight attendants who live in the building.

The facilities include two fully equipped gymnasiums, large outdoor swimming pool, squash courts, a multipurpose all weather pitch for football, cricket and tennis and a branch of the renowned Sharanis Spa.

In addition to the health and well-being areas, Fit2Fly also has two large lounges equipped with wifi and internet access as well as plasma TVs and swish sofas. There is also a Moka Café which offers breakfast, lunch and dinner for cabin crew.

Maija Eklof, Etihad Airways’ vice president in-flight services, said, “Etihad understands how important it is to take care of staff both at work and in their own time and the new Fit2Fly club will make a big difference for cabin crew who can now work-out, socialise and relax all in a calm and uplifting environment.”

One of the highlights of the new club is the Sharanis Spa which offers advanced skin and body therapies, a hair salon and ayurvedic and alternative medicine treatments across a variety of themed rooms and suites.

Each area of the spa caters for the cabin crew members’ requirements even allowing them to enjoy a spa manicure and pedicure whilst watching their favourite programmes on the large plasma TV.

The new Fit2Fly club is part of Etihad’s drive to provide top activities and promotions for its cabin crew. In July the airline made a dream-come-true for cabin crew member Surawadee Satthaphol, from Thailand, who won a brand new Mini Cooper car in a competition designed to boost sales of onboard duty free gifts.

Ms Satthaphol was handed the keys to the brand new car, which is worth more than Dhs115,000, as a reward for achieving the highest onboard duty free sales figures by any member of Etihad’ cabin crew during the first six months of 2008.