Well I'm not convinced that every country in the world is represented, or even close. Not yet, at least. (Watch this space perhaps ......)

The most commonly quoted figure for the total number of countries in the world today is 196 - although that does climb to well over the 200 mark depending on the precise definition of a sovereign state (opinion varies ....). Emirates have stated in some publications that their crew are made up of 135 nationalities.

There has traditionally been a sense of great pride on the part of EK management whenever referring to the diverse range of crew background. However, whilst on the face of it, this is a positive/admirable policy, I do sometimes wonder whether a United Nations approach to recruitment has any bearing on some of the issues being discussed on a current thread re growing inconsistency in customer service standards.