Emirates Flight Catering Careers 2026: Chefs & Packing Staff

The sheer scale of producing over 200,000 meals every single day is what makes Emirates Flight Catering Careers the ultimate test for any culinary professional in Dubai. Located near Dubai International Airport, EKFC is not just a standard kitchen; it is a massive 24/7 food factory that supplies Emirates and over 100 other global airlines.

In 2026, with the airport busier than ever, the facility is actively hiring. They aren’t just looking for Chefs; there is a massive demand for Food Packing Assistants, Equipment Operators, and High-Loader Drivers to ensure the right meal gets to the right passenger on time.

Working here is completely different from a hotel or restaurant environment. You don’t serve one customer at a time; you serve thousands per hour. The environment is temperature-controlled (often cold), heavily regulated by hygiene standards, and operates on tight deadlines. It is demanding physical work, but it comes with the stability and benefits of the Emirates Group.

Fast Facts: EKFC Recruitment Summary

Expert Recruitment Analysis: The “Volume” Moat

The friction point here isn’t creativity (like in a fine-dining restaurant); it is Consistency and Hygiene.

The HACCP Filter

Hygiene is an obsession here.

• The Reality: You will be working in a sanitized environment. Beards must be covered (or shaved), jewelry is forbidden, and you will wash your hands dozens of times a shift.
• The Interview Tip: If you are a chef, don’t just talk about flavor. Talk about Food Safety, HACCP protocols, and avoiding cross-contamination. This is what the recruiters want to hear.

The “Cold Chain” Endurance

Much of the facility is refrigerated to keep food fresh.

• The Condition: You might spend your entire 9-hour shift in a room set to 18°C or colder (especially in the packing department). You need to be physically fit to handle the cold and the constant standing.

Hot Vacancies: Departments Hiring Now

Commis & Demi Chefs (The Culinary Team)

• The Mission: Cooking huge batches of curries, sauces, or pastries according to precise airline recipes.
• Salary: Typically AED 3,500 – 5,000 (depending on rank) + Accommodation.
• Why Apply: You gain experience with mass production. It is a stable job with no “late night closing” stress like in restaurants, as shifts are fixed.
• Requirement: Culinary degree or diploma and 2+ years of hotel experience.

Food Packing Assistants

• The Mission: Assembling the trays. Placing the cutlery, the salad bowl, and the dessert exactly as per the “Gold Standard” photo.
• Salary: Entry level, approx AED 2,000 – 2,800 + Accommodation.
• Why Apply: Requires no specific degree. Good entry point for freshers.
• Requirement: Speed and attention to detail. You must place items quickly as the conveyor belt moves.

High-Loader Drivers (Logistics)

• The Mission: Driving the massive catering trucks up to the aircraft door and loading the trolleys.
• Salary: Higher than standard drivers, often AED 4,000+.
• Why Apply: Technical driving role with heavy machinery.
• Requirement: UAE Heavy Vehicle Driving License (Code 4) and airport security clearance

Mandatory Eligibility Checklist

• Language: Basic English is mandatory for safety instructions.
• Health: You must be free from any communicable diseases (strict Dubai Municipality Food Handler rules).
• Age: Generally 21-40 years for operational roles.
• Accommodation: EKFC provides high-quality company accommodation (usually in Dubai Silicon Oasis or Al Quoz) with gyms and facilities, which saves you rent.

Scam Warning: Emirates Flight Catering never asks for cash for visas. Be careful of “agents” in your home country claiming to have a “guaranteed visa” for EKFC. Apply only through the official portal.

The Application Pathway: Official Steps

Applying via the Emirates Group Portal

1. The Only Way: Go to the Emirates Group Careers website. EKFC jobs are listed under the “Catering” or “Dnata” sections usually.
2. Medical: A very strict medical exam to ensure you are fit to handle food.
3. Assessment:

• For Chefs: A cooking trial (Knife skills test).
• For Packers: A dexterity test (sorting items quickly).

Official Website