Emirates Opens New Centre of Hospitality Excellence to Elevate In-Flight Service Training
Dubai’s new training center brings Michelin-level finesse and emotional intelligence to Emirates’ in-flight service.
Photo: Courtesy of Emirates
Emirates has opened a new $8 million Centre of Hospitality Excellence in Dubai to train nearly 25,000 cabin crew in the finer points of luxury service. The initiative deepens the airline’s focus on hospitality-driven air travel built on refinement, personalization, and emotional connection.
The 51,000-square-foot facility features a full-service restaurant and lounge for 170 guests, presentation kitchens, and eight tech-equipped classrooms designed for immersive, Michelin-inspired instruction. More than 10,000 crew are expected to complete training at the center by year’s end.
Developed from Emirates’ partnership with Switzerland’s École hôtelière de Lausanne, the curriculum refines every aspect of the onboard experience—from plating and wine service to communication and cultural awareness. The “Art of Service” module focuses on reading guest cues, anticipating needs, and shaping personalized moments of engagement rather than simply following protocol.
The crew also experiences the guest perspective firsthand. During four-course lunches prepared by Emirates’ master chefs, trainees dine as patrons to understand pacing, presentation, and tone. In the culinary hub, a hybrid kitchen-galley setup allows them to practice balance, texture, and composition in tight quarters, which helps translate fine-dining precision to the cabin.
A dedicated wine-education wing, L’art du Vin, builds knowledge of Emirates’ onboard vintages and pairing philosophy through guided tastings and sommelier-led workshops. The new facility complements the airline’s Crew Zone, a 24-hour space at Emirates Group Headquarters offering wellness, learning, and support programs.
For Emirates, the Centre of Hospitality Excellence represents a continued investment in human touch—the small gestures and sensory details that define service at altitude.
