Riyadh Air Cabin Crew Training Process

Unofficial guide – this page is not endorsed by or affiliated with Riyadh Air.
The information below is based on publicly available aviation training standards, Saudi airline practices, and general Middle East airline cabin crew training. Always follow the latest information from the official Riyadh Air careers website and your official training contract. Riyadh Air+1

Once you receive that exciting “You’re hired” message from Riyadh Air, your journey is just beginning. Before you wear the uniform and greet guests on board, you must successfully complete an intensive cabin crew training course.

This initial training transforms you from a newcomer into a qualified safety professional and brand ambassador. It covers safety, emergency procedures, first aid, service, Saudi hospitality, and the Riyadh Air brand.

What Is Riyadh Air Cabin Crew Training?

Like other Saudi and Middle East airlines, Riyadh Air requires all new cabin crew to pass a structured initial training program before operating commercial flights. Saudia+2Aviation A2Z+2

Although Riyadh Air doesn’t yet publish a full public syllabus, typical Gulf airline training includes:

  • Safety and emergency procedures (SEP)

  • First aid and medical training

  • Service and hospitality standards

  • Cultural and brand training (Saudi hospitality, “Hafawa”, and Riyadh Air values) Riyadh Air+1

  • Aircraft and equipment familiarisation

  • Exams, drills and practical assessments

  • Supernumerary (training) flights with real passengers

Saudi training centers such as Prince Sultan Aviation Academy and other regional training academies are known for delivering cabin crew courses that cover safety, onboard equipment use, and emergency handling. Saudia+2MEA+2

Riyadh Air has already celebrated the graduation of its first group of cabin crew, confirming that new joiners go through a complete initial course before flying. Riyadh Air

Where and How Long Is Training?

Exact details are sent in your official employment and joining documents, but generally for Middle East airlines:

  • Training is held in a dedicated training center in the home country (for Riyadh Air, this is Riyadh/KSA). Saudia+1

  • Courses usually last several weeks, often in the range of 6–8+ weeks, depending on aircraft types and course structure. (This is similar to other regional airlines’ cabin crew training programs.) Aviation A2Z+1

You will:

  • Attend full-time (often 5–6 days per week).

  • Have theory classroom sessions plus simulator and practical training.

  • Sit multiple written and practical exams you must pass to be licensed and released to fly.

Phase 1 – Induction & Airline Orientation

Your first days are about understanding Riyadh Air as a company and your role in it.

Typical topics:

  • History and vision of Riyadh Air and its role in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Riyadh Air+1

  • Company policies and code of conduct.

  • Introduction to Hafawa (Riyadh Air’s expression of Saudi hospitality) and core values. Riyadh Air+1

  • HR paperwork, medical checks, ID photos, uniform measurements.

  • Overview of training schedule, rules (attendance, exams, grooming, behaviour).

Your goal in this phase:
Arrive on time, look professional, and show that you are serious, humble and ready to learn.

Phase 2 – Safety & Emergency Procedures (SEP)

This is the heart of cabin crew training. International and regional regulations require airlines to train crew in how to respond to emergencies, operate equipment and keep passengers safe. Saudia+2MEA+2

Typical SEP content:

  • Aircraft doors and slides – operation in normal and emergency situations.

  • Evacuation procedures – commands, crowd control, evacuation timings.

  • Firefighting – types of fires, smoke drills, use of fire extinguishers and protective equipment.

  • Decompression – rapid vs gradual, oxygen masks, passenger management.

  • Ditching (water landing) – life jackets, life rafts, survival equipment, signaling.

  • Turbulence procedures – securing cabin, dealing with injuries, communication.

  • Security awareness – disruptive passengers, suspicious behaviour, hijack awareness basics.

You will practice in mock-up cabins, evacuation slides and simulators similar to those used by other airlines in the region. MEA+2MEA+2

Exams & checks:

  • Written tests after many modules.

  • Practical drills where you must correctly operate doors, fight “fires” in a mockup, and demonstrate commands.

  • Failing safety modules often means you cannot continue – safety is non-negotiable.

Phase 3 – First Aid & Medical Training

Airlines must ensure their crew can provide basic medical care until professional help is available. Training often includes: Aviation A2Z+1

  • Basic CPR and use of AED (defibrillator) where applicable.

  • Handling fainting, motion sickness, hyperventilation, panic attacks.

  • Recognising and responding to heart attack, stroke, asthma, allergic reactions.

  • Managing bleeding, burns, fractures and minor injuries on board.

  • Understanding and using the first-aid kit, emergency medical kit, oxygen bottles.

You may practice on mannequins and role-play scenarios (for example, a passenger suddenly collapsing in the aisle).

Your goal:
Show that you can stay calm, follow procedure, and reassure passengers while acting quickly.

Phase 4 – Service, Hospitality & Brand Training

Once safety and first aid are underway, you also train to deliver Riyadh Air’s style of service, which is built around Saudi hospitality and a premium, modern guest experience. Riyadh Air+2Riyadh Air+2

Typical topics:

  • Service flow for short-haul and long-haul flights.

  • Meal and beverage service, tray setup, handling special meals.

  • Grooming standards, uniform presentation, and personal style within guidelines.

  • Saudi and international cultural awareness – how to address guests respectfully, modesty and etiquette, especially in and out of the Kingdom. Aviation A2Z+1

  • Handling VIPs, families, unaccompanied minors and guests with special needs.

  • Communication style: tone of voice, body language, problem-solving with a warm, composed attitude.

You might train in a mock cabin service area where instructors play the role of passengers, testing your politeness, speed and attention to detail, similar to hospitality-focused training centres used by other regional airlines. The Times of India+1

Phase 5 – Aircraft & Equipment Familiarisation

You will be trained on the specific aircraft types in the Riyadh Air fleet (for example, wide-body jets for long-haul operations). While exact types and layout details come from the airline’s internal manuals, the general focus includes: Riyadh Air+1

  • Cabin layout – exits, galleys, lavatories, crew seats, stowages.

  • Location and use of safety and emergency equipment.

  • Operation of interphone, seatbelt signs, cabin lighting, IFE system.

  • Secure stowage and checks before take-off and landing.

  • Procedures for different phases of flight.

You must know your aircraft so well that, in low visibility or smoke, you can navigate by memory and touch.

Phase 6 – Exams, Practical Checks & Graduation

Throughout training, you will have:

  • Written exams (often with a minimum pass mark like 80% for safety modules).

  • Oral checks where instructors ask you procedures or commands.

  • Practical drills – opening/closing doors, evacuations, firefighting, first-aid scenarios.

Only after successfully passing all required modules do you graduate and receive your cabin crew wings or certificate, similar to the first group of Riyadh Air crew who completed their initial course. Riyadh Air+1

Phase 7 – Supernumerary Flights & Probation

Once you have graduated:

  • You will usually operate several “supernumerary” flights (training flights) where you are on board in uniform but counted as an additional crew member, supervised closely by seniors.

  • Instructors or check crew will evaluate your real-world performance in safety, service and teamwork. Cabin Crew Wings+1

You are typically on probation for the first months, during which:

  • Attendance, punctuality and grooming are strictly monitored.

  • You may have follow-up checks or refresher training.

  • Your overall attitude and improvement are assessed before full confirmation.

How to Prepare Before Joining Riyadh Air Training

You can make training much easier for yourself if you prepare before leaving your home country:

1. Improve your English and communication

  • Practice speaking clearly every day.

  • Watch aviation and hospitality content in English.

  • Learn polite phrases for difficult situations (apologising, explaining, offering alternatives).

2. Get physically ready

  • Build basic fitness and stamina – walking, light cardio, stretching.

  • Practice swimming if you are not confident; being able to handle water drills is important. Cabin Crew Career+1

3. Train your study habits

  • You will study a lot in a short time.

  • Practice taking notes, revising daily, and testing yourself with flashcards.

  • Get used to sleeping early and waking early – training days are long.

4. Prepare your mindset

  • Be ready to accept feedback and correction.

  • Stay humble – instructors are strict because they are responsible for safety.

  • Support your classmates; you are a team, not competitors.

Final Reminder & Disclaimer

This page is an unofficial overview of what the Riyadh Air Cabin Crew Training Process is likely to include. It is based on:

  • Public information about Riyadh Air and its first cabin crew graduations Riyadh Air+1

  • Published cabin crew requirements and recruitment information

  • General cabin crew training practices at Saudi and Middle East airlines Cabin Crew Wings+3Saudia+3MEA+3

Actual training content, duration, location and assessment rules are defined only by Riyadh Air and the Saudi aviation authorities and may change at any time.

Before you join:

  1. Read your official contract and joining instructions carefully.

  2. Check the latest updates on the Riyadh Air careers website. Riyadh Air+1

  3. Follow all guidance you receive directly from the airline.