My Dubai Salary: I earn up to Dh24,000 a month as first-class cabin crew - Alhamdulillah
Assalamualaikum. I'm Sharlene Lowe, a 37-year-old Australian who’s been living and working in Dubai for the past 12½ years as cabin crew for a Middle Eastern airline. I’ve visited nearly 100 countries and my favourite place so far is New York - subhanAllah, so much to see.
When I was 20 I took a big trip around Europe and caught the travel bug. That’s when I realised I wanted to live abroad and see more of the world. I’d heard about being a flight attendant and it sounded like a good fit. At the time I had a boyfriend who wasn’t keen on the idea, and after we split I applied to a Middle Eastern airline and moved to the UAE.
The best part of the job is getting to travel to so many different countries, though there are downsides: disrupted sleep, odd hours, being away from family and missing big moments like birthdays, weddings and Eid. I’d still recommend cabin crew work to young people who want their horizons broadened. You usually need to have finished high school and have a year of customer service experience to apply.
For interviews, you don’t need to dress like an airline employee - just have your hair tied back, be yourself, be confident, and be ready for unexpected questions that aren’t always airline-related.
I have a degree in business and marketing and live in Dubai Creek Harbour with my husband, a Moroccan entrepreneur. I started working in Australia as soon as I was allowed - waiting tables and making coffee, earning about $15 an hour - then moved on to retail. In aviation you generally start in economy, move to business, then first class, and after that there are supervisor and purser roles.
Pay depends on flying hours. My basic salary began around Dh4,500 a month, with flying pay usually Dh52–Dh55 per hour when you start. Layovers come with a meal allowance. We have medical insurance that covers dental, two days off after every 14 days, and a maximum of seven working days in a row. If you’re married or own a home, you can choose to live outside company housing and get a housing allowance - that’s what I did. Company accommodation is fully covered otherwise, and transport or an allowance is provided depending on where you live.
We can apply for two membership cards for a small fee for discounts around the UAE and abroad, and we get discounted flights for our annual holiday. I currently work in first class and enjoy it; the next step would be cabin supervisor but I’m happy where I am.
During Covid-19 I worked in business class for almost seven years and didn’t see upgrades or progression because hiring was frozen. My monthly pay now varies with hours flown but is roughly Dh20,000–Dh24,000, with higher flying pay for first-class roles.
Alhamdulillah I’ve been able to save because I try to earn more than I spend and thanks to extra allowances. My husband and I share expenses; if I were paying everything alone I’d be spending most of my salary. I’ve invested in cryptocurrency since 2019, mostly Bitcoin and a few other coins, and I trade on Binance. I’ve had most gains from Bitcoin and am now looking at stocks and real estate too.
I have a car loan and two credit cards and manage them carefully. I know my income and my limits, so I don’t overspend. I prefer using credit cards for rewards rather than a debit card where there’s no return.
My parents taught me the value of money - even though they could have bought things for me, they didn’t, and growing up with that made me responsible. My father worked as a manager in the railways in Australia and I’m one of five siblings.
Big expenses are rent and groceries. I don’t keep a formal written budget - I just know what comes in and what goes out. I have savings in Australia and the UAE, and those savings act as my emergency fund. I don’t have a set retirement age; I hope to retire as soon as possible but I’ll keep doing something useful even after leaving this job.
I mostly spend on travel experiences and try not to worry over money. Worrying brings negative energy, and I prefer to stay positive - that approach has worked for me.
My next financial goals are investing more in stocks and buying property so I can have the freedom to do what I want without stressing about costs. I also do occasional collaborations with brands, which brings in passive income over time.
May Allah bless everyone with Rizq and guidance. If anyone has questions about cabin crew life or saving while working abroad, feel free to ask. JazākAllāhu khayran.
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