Is Emirates really a safe airline?
 

I bought airline tickets on Emirates from JFK to Milan in economy for my family. Saw a lot of video reports about the airline, their comfortable economy class, etc.

Then I was curious to know what it is like to work for this airline. And saw a lot of former or current Emirates pilots complain on various pilot forums about overworking, fatigue, the fact that this airline works them to the bone, and since there is no union they have no way to complain, and how horrible the management treat them, and they can't leave because of the training bond, etc. One pilot said that he was so tired on one long leg that he found it hard not to fall asleep.

Yet, all the main flight safety ratings (JACDEC, airlineratings and others) list Emirates as one of the safest airlines in the world. Always in top 10.

I realize that they carried 58 million passengers in 2019 alone and logically, they are super safe. But being a worried flier that I am, wanted to ask this knowledgeable group: is Emirates really safe to fly?

I personally have zero hesitation flying them. Have done many flights including ULR and I believe EK has one of the highest RPKs. I too have heard that there may be a problem with pilot fatigue but I think their incident and crash record makes me feel that there is not a systemic issue at the airline. Honestly, I would more worried getting on a US regional carrier (not that I am).

Thanks for your opinion.

I will be flying on a 7.5 hour flight. So I hope they won't have that much opportunity to fall asleep :cool:

Well, if you look at the actual safety statistics, they're a safe airline.

From what I hear, working there is a high-stress job but remember: the folks who spend time writing things online are not the average case.

As per Xlr's comment above, the safety statistic is all that matters if you're concerned about safety. Also, Emirates has a brand to maintain, so they'll work vigorously to maintain or improve it. Now, as for the other things you mentioned like overworking etc of the pilots, unfortunately that tends to be a common critique of the Middle east big three airlines. I have a close friend who is a pilot for Qatar on their A350 routes, and every time we catch up he always vents about being overworked and under-rested. That being said, he is quick to acknowledge that Qatar pays handsomely compared to other airlines so like all things in life, it's give and take. If you want the widebody pilot experience, and want to make money you need to be prepared for the flipside of the equation: your employer is probably going to overwork you.

I've seen the moaning and groaning on pprune from some EK pilots. The telling point is that anybody who posts anything remotely positive about EK immediately gets shouted down as a shill.

Nobody was complaining when EK the other ME airlines were more or less the only airlines taking on pilots (after the downturn in 2008).

I guess the pilots didn't realise that they'd be flying ultra long haul routes when they signed their contracts? Emirates must have kept their route network so well hidden. It must be terrible for them, working 90 hours a month, earning $300K and having free accommodation, car allowance and schooling allowance.

And they get a bed in the office where then can rest when they get a bit tired :D