Make the world your home.

It’s an extraordinary time to join Etihad. In 2025 alone we’ve carried over 10 million guests, announced 30+ new destinations, and recorded the strongest half-year profit in our history. With more than 20 new aircraft arriving this year and a clear path to double our fleet by 2030, we’re investing heavily in the future and redefining what global aviation looks like.

Just as we push boundaries for our guests through innovation, sustainability, and world-class service, we’re equally committed to providing our pilots with exceptional careers. Abu Dhabi, ranked the world’s safest city in 2025, offers a vibrant, cosmopolitan lifestyle for you and your family, complemented by tax-free salaries, concessionary travel, comprehensive benefits, and endless opportunities for progression inside and beyond the cockpit.

What we offer

As a Freighter Captain with Etihad, you’ll receive a competitive, tax-free annual package that recognises both performance and the unique demands of cargo operations. This includes a base salary, monthly productivity pay & variable pay with the potential to earn up to AED 359,400 (USD 97,862) per year based on an average of 14 Operating Days per month. Alongside this, you are eligible for an annual incentive of up to AED 23,000 (USD 6,262), based on a 175-day working pattern. Your salary includes performance-based annual increments, complemented by a comprehensive range of benefits

• • Accidental and life insurance coverage
  • Comprehensive medical insurance
  • Industry-leading staff travel benefits and access to Etihad’s exclusive discounts
  • End-of-service benefits

The Role

As a Captain with Etihad, you hold ultimate authority for the safe, secure, and efficient operation of every flight. You are entrusted with technical command of the aircraft, leadership of the crew, and the responsibility to uphold Etihad’s highest standards of professionalism

• • Ensure the safety and security of crew, passengers, cargo, and aircraft at all times
  • Exercise full command of the aircraft from taxi-out to final engine shutdown
  • Lead the flight and cabin crew, demonstrating strong decision-making and effective crew resource management
  • Operate with efficiency and environmental responsibility, in line with company fuel and sustainability policies
  • Deliver consistent On Time Performance to meet Etihad’s commitment to reliability and guest satisfaction

To be considered for the role of Freighter Captain, you must meet either Criteria A or Criteria B, in addition to the General Eligibility criteria below.

Criteria A

• • Minimum 7,000 hours total flying time
  • Minimum 2500 PIC hours on multi-crew, glass cockpit (1) of which 2000 should be on any Boeing wide body aircraft above 140 tons
  • Minimum 1500 PIC hours on any Boeing wide body 

Criteria B

• • Minimum 7000 total flying hours 
  • Minimum of 3000 PIC hours on jet multi-crew, glass cockpit (1) of which 2500 should be on Boeing wide body aircraft above 140 tons as commander

General Eligibility

• • Flown any Boeing Wide Body aircraft within the last 12 months
  • Type rating on applicable aircraft to be valid for at least 2 more months at the time of joining
  • Unrestricted and current ATPL issued by an ICAO member state
  • Unrestricted, current Class 1 medical
  • Must not have attained the age of 59 on the day of joining
  • English language fluency (written and verbal) – ICAO Level 4 or higher

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