Abu Dhabi: Farah Saeed, a 27-year-old from Dubai, has joined the team of Etihad Airways' cabin crew. She is currently the only Emirati woman working as a cabin crew member with the airline.
Farah joins 3,000 other cabin crew members that represent 100 nationalities.
Farah, who started work a week ago on a flight to Istanbul and London-Heathrow, recently graduated from the eight-week training course at the Etihad training complex in Khalifa City.
Sharing hospitality
"I want to share the Emirati culture and hospitality with as many people in as many parts of the world as possible," Farah told Gulf News.
"I am very attracted to the cabin crew lifestyle as it opens up a whole world of opportunities for me, both professionally and personally," she said.
"A career with Etihad allows me to represent our national airline, as well as travel and experience different cultures worldwide," she added.
She says her family and friends have supported her new career.
"People around me have been very supportive and friends have encouraged me to be one of the first Emiratis to embark on this career," she said.
"I hope this opens up opportunities and encourages other young Emiratis to consider a career in customer service with our national airline. Many of my friends are interested in a career like this, so I hope I can act as a role model for them, because I think it is important that guests are greeted on Etihad by representatives of our country," Farah said.
"Cabin crew are the face of Etihad in the skies interacting directly with our customers, so it is vital that we have our own nation represented among this very international group," James Hogan Etihad Airways' Chief Executive Officer, said
"Etihad currently has 166 Emirati pilots and cadet pilots, as well as increasing numbers of UAE nationals building their careers across all divisions in the airline, so Farah will certainly feel at home working with Etihad."
