Emirates flight attendant earns tax-free salary and hasn’t paid rent for 10 years

An Emirates flight attendant has opened up on what it's like to earn a tax-free salary while not having to fork out fortunes for rent in the last decade.

With all that extra dosh on-hand, the jet-setter has revealed she's been able to live her 'dream life', quite literally cashing in on all the perks and benefits that come with the job.

From the emblematic red lipstick and chic headscarf uniform to some seriously generous pay - it's clear that 33-year-old cabin crew member, Alexandra Cosoff, has definitely got it made with her life in the skies.

Instagram/@alexandracosoff

Emirates have long-since been hailed as one of the fanciest airlines out there, best known for its high-class service, impressive double-decker Airbus A380 planes and unmatched hospitality.

And the hospitality is a whole lot more than pouring drinks and serving peanuts and many airlines require on-board staff to have knowledge of first aid - never mind having to professionally deal with the unruly passengers that inevitably board the cabin every so often.

Alexandra, who lives in Dubai, hasn't paid for accommodation for the past 10 years, ever since landing a job with the luxury airline.

Recalling that fateful moment when her life changed forever, the flight attendant told news.com.au: "After I joined, I started in economy class for one and half years, before I got promoted to business class and the business promotions events team. I have been so lucky. I’ve had the most amazing time."

Instagram/@alexandracosoff

Sharing a little more about her slightly alternative lifestyle, Alexandra explained: "Our accommodation is provided and salary is tax-free – and not just that, we have a lot of other things taken care of like transport, laundry, we have full medical and dental coverage. We are very well looked after."

Noting one of the most 'attractive' perks to the job, the former make-up artist revealed: "What was very attractive to me was also not paying tax on top of my salary.

"I live in my own apartment. You can either get company-provided accommodation or opt for accommodation allowance."

The basic starting salary at Emirates is 4,430 Emirati Dirhams a month, around $1,206.66/£970 tax-free, plus an hourly flying rate of AED63.75, or just under £14 per hour.

Combined, the company's website gives an average monthly salary depending on the number of hours of AED10,170 per month, or just over $2,761.64/£2,220.

Instagram/@alexandracosoff

This particular salary is for working in economy class, with staff in higher classes paid more.

Not too shabby at all.

And this is clearly a dream come true for Alexandra who said she wanted to be flight attendant 'ever since [she] was a young girl'.

"I remember seeing Emirates cabin crew on TV with their red hats and striking red lipstick and thinking, 'Wow they’re so beautiful, I want to do that'."

Little did she know she would go on to become one of those figures she so ardently admired.

Alexandra described her job as a 'dream come true' and has since urged anyone thinking about a career in the skies to take the leap and just go for it.

"I have learned so much about the world, other cultures and also myself – and best of all you make amazing friends along the way," she said.

Topics: Money, Travel, World News

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from the University of Manchester in 2021 in English Literature. Alongside her studies, she was the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the largest student newspaper in the United Kingdom. Her favourite topics to write about include sex and relationships, bizarre lifestyle trends and all things travel.