Alexandra Cosoff has not paid for accommodation for the last 10 years after joining Emirates as a flight attendant and living in Dubai.
The 33-yr-old, from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, is now a cabin manager after climbing to the highest where she enjoys the advantages of her “generous advantages package”.
“Our accommodation is provided and the salary is tax free – and never only that, we’ve arranged many other things comparable to transport, laundry, we’ve full medical and dental insurance,” Alexandra told news.com.au during a stopover in London.
“We’re thoroughly taken care of.”
Alexandra was able to avoid wasting quite a little bit of her salary by providing and caring for most things, and the upper the rank, the larger the package.
![Aleksandra Kosow](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/13398836_823661401069259_1892480706_n.jpg?w=746)
For instance, for a recent carpenter, the essential monthly salary is 4,430 Emirati dirhams (AED) – roughly $1,800.
But on top of that, they get AED 63.75 ($26) an hour for 80 to 100 hours of flight time, and meal allowances for overnight stops are added to the next month’s arrears.
On average, it’s over $5,000 a month for economy class, but cabin crew get higher pay and advantages as they progress through the ranks.
Alexandra, who earns more due to her role, said that in comparison with working in Australia, where a big proportion of her salary goes towards rent and bills, working for the UAE airline, she is in a position to avoid wasting most of her income and spend it on such things like traveling the world – which he often does.
“What was very attractive to me was also not paying tax on my salary,” she said.
“I live in my own apartment. You’ll be able to either get company-provided accommodation or go for Housing Profit.’
Emirates has confirmed that cabin crew may receive an accommodation allowance in the event that they opt out of the accommodation offered.
Alexandra, a former makeup artist, said her job allowed her to live a “dream life”.
“I used to be so lucky. I had essentially the most amazing time,” she told news.com.au.
![Aleksandra Kosow](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/329220593_210994508091490_8798832913277474283_n.jpg?w=819)
“After I joined, I competed in economy class for a yr and a half before moving as much as business class and the business promotion events team.
“I used to be working within the A380 in-flight lounge which I actually enjoyed and the promotions team really opened my world as much as global events.
“I can stand on the Rod Laver Area and present the awards to the winning tennis players in 2016 and in the identical yr I used to be at Ellen’s show (with one other crew) where we gave the entire audience free tickets to Dubai.”
Alexandra also worked in first-class before becoming an airline cabin crew advisor.
She studied marketing and public relations in Brisbane, but said she had at all times desired to work within the aviation industry.
“Ever since I used to be a young girl, I desired to be a flight attendant,” she said. “I remember seeing Emirates cabin crew on TV wearing their red hats and vibrant red lipstick and considering, ‘Wow, they’re so beautiful, I need to do that.'”
Alexandra said the training is sort of intense and lasts slightly below eight weeks.
“It is very rigorous training, but it can stick with you for life – it gives you a cultural awareness of learn how to stay calm and composed, and once you have mastered all these skills, nobody can take that away from you,” she said.
There are seven steps to this, from safety and emergencies, through medical training, safety training, hospitality, uniform presentation, and repair learning.
By way of presentation, cabin crew should have no visible tattoos, women’s hair have to be neatly tied up, must wear heels and a minimum of minimal makeup – including the airline’s signature red lip.
“Before I began working for Emirates, I used to be a make-up artist, so it got here quite easily to me – ultimately it comes right down to art,” said the 33-yr-old.
![Aleksandra Kosow](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/73423638_494034851196278_7353384303391097978_n.jpg?w=886)
“From waking as much as walking out the door, I can get my hair and makeup done in quarter-hour.”
As a part of the training, cabin crew also learn the fundamentals of the Arabic language, which Alexandra was in a position to reap the benefits of while living in Dubai, which she described as an “exciting” city with numerous things to do and see.
“I settled in Dubai immediately. It’s such a friendly place for expats,” she said.
“It’s a really energetic place and I’ve seen it grow so much over time.
“It has really turn out to be a tourist destination with safaris, beautiful beaches and numerous amazing restaurants and food from everywhere in the world.”
Working for the airline was a “dream come true” and she or he advises anyone concerned with becoming a flight attendant to “just apply”.
“I’ve learned a lot concerning the world, other cultures and likewise about myself – and the most effective part is that you simply meet amazing friends along the way in which,” she said.
The 33-yr-old said the job has allowed her to live a life-style she once only dreamed of.
“In the event you’re considering of doing something, commit 100% and check out it. For me it was an amazing opportunity and experience.”
The subsequent Emirates Open Day will happen on May 26 on the Holiday Inn in Perth City Centre.