Too Scared to Interview in Brisbane. Now She Has a Qatar Airways Offer.

Natsuka cried on a plane because she didn’t want to leave her family. Her family had moved overseas while she stayed in Japan to finish college, and every visit during the long school holidays ended with a flight back alone.

On one of those flights, a cabin crew member noticed how upset she was and came to look after her.

“Her warmth and kindness made me feel much better during such an emotional moment.”

That experience stayed with her. She wanted to be the person who offers that kind of comfort to a stranger. She now has an offer from Qatar Airways, after interviewing in Kuala Lumpur.

At a glance

• Where she started: a Japanese graduate, nine months in Brisbane, and no cabin crew applications ever sent
• The problem: her English still didn’t feel strong enough to sit an airline interview
• The change: she joined Crew Lounge, and her first airline application came after she joined
• The interview: Qatar Airways, in Kuala Lumpur, with no flight home to Japan needed
• Result: an offer from Qatar Airways, with her start date still to come
  
  

Nine Months in Brisbane

Natsuka graduated from a junior college in Japan, then spent nine months in Brisbane at an English language school. She was shy by nature and found it hard to make friends at first.

“At one point, I felt like I was just going to school every day without making much progress towards my dream.“

She started working at a local restaurant and going to social events for international people, to create chances to practise English. Her days ran from classes at 9am to 3pm, then restaurant shifts in the evening. It helped, but not enough. “I really wanted to challenge myself and attend interviews while I was studying in Brisbane, but I was too scared to take that step.“

By the time her English finally felt like it was improving, her stay was almost over.

Choosing Crew Lounge

She found Crew Lounge on social media while deciding between an airline school in Japan and staying abroad. What stood out was that it offered English study and a path into the airline industry together.

“I was especially impressed by the opportunity to learn from people with valuable experience, such as Mimi and Karim, who had experience as interviewers, as well as trainers who had worked as cabin crew for many years.”

Meeting Karim and Mimi surprised her. “I didn’t feel the formal distance that I had expected between a school director and a student, which is more common in Japan. They made me feel comfortable and welcomed from the beginning.”

More Than English

Malaysia’s mix of cultures changed how she heard English. That is what English training in Malaysia looks like day to day. At first she found it surprisingly hard to follow people, and she worried her listening had gotten worse than in Brisbane. Living with many different accents fixed that.

Lessons covered airline terminology and how to communicate professionally in formal situations. About six months in, she noticed a change once she began attending airline interviews.

“Instead of feeling stuck when I was asked something I hadn’t prepared for, I became better at thinking on my feet and expressing my thoughts in English.”

The First Interview Didn’t Work Out

Natsuka had never applied for a cabin crew position in Japan. Before Qatar Airways, she applied to two other airlines. The first led to her very first cabin crew interview, and she wasn’t successful.

She was disappointed and found it hard to stay positive. Karim said something that changed her mindset. “I was able to pick myself up and think, ‘On to the next one!’” At the second airline she passed the selection stage, but no offer followed. Then came Qatar Airways, and it gave her her first offer. Karim had told her to keep going, and she did.

Her CV was already done. She had finished it in her first month, with Mimi and Karim reviewing it. The format surprised her, because CVs in Japan usually follow a fixed black-and-white template. “Their feedback helped me understand what airlines look for in a candidate and how to present myself more effectively.”

Qatar Airways, Without Flying Home

Qatar Airways interviewed in Kuala Lumpur, so Natsuka didn’t have to travel back to Japan. “Being based in Malaysia was a huge advantage. I attended interviews without the additional stress and expense of traveling back to Japan.“

She isn’t the only Crew Lounge student with a Qatar Airways offer. The process ran through Stage 1, Stage 2 and a final interview. Before the final, Crew Lounge did something she still talks about. The school was closed and the other trainers were on holiday, but the team opened it anyway so everyone who had reached the final could practise together with Karim and the trainers.

“We worked on our answers, encouraged one another, and motivated each other to do our best.”

On the morning of her final interview she went to the school to see Mimi, who gave her some last advice before she left for the venue. “I kept her advice in mind throughout the interview.”

Interview Day

Many Crew Lounge students were interviewing on the same day, so they went to the venue together. She ended up in the same group as some of them.

“When they were presenting their ideas, I was cheering them on in my heart. I wanted all of us to pass and achieve our dreams together.“

Afterwards they went out for a meal. “We told each other, ‘Well done! You did your best!‘”

The Offer

The email arrived while she was on holiday visiting her mother. The two of them were having lunch.

“My mother was the first person I told.”

After that she told Mimi, Karim and her classmates. “Even now, it still doesn’t feel completely real.”

Right Now

Natsuka is still in Malaysia with Crew lounge, getting ready. She studies English every day, works on her listening so training is easier, and watches YouTube videos by Qatar Airways cabin crew to learn what life in Qatar will be like. “I do feel a little nervous, but I’m even more excited than anxious!“

Why She Is Glad She Chose Crew Lounge

Asked for the moment she knew she’d made the right choice, she gave several.

• Trainers who have worked as cabin crew. “I can learn not only from lessons but also from their real-life experiences.“
• Access she says she wouldn’t have had elsewhere. Malaysia Airlines gave Crew Lounge students exclusive access to an in-house interview session, which was the airline’s decision. She also went with Karim and Mimi to an airline recruitment event, as a member of the team, to see the process up close.
• The people. “Even on days when there were no classes, I could go to school and find someone to talk to.”
  
  

“The biggest thing Crew Lounge gave me was the courage to take on new challenges. In Australia I was afraid of trying new things. Here I learned that nothing will change unless you take action.“

Her advice to a student whose English doesn’t feel like it’s improving: “Please don’t give up. By continuing to study and putting in consistent effort, I gradually began to notice my own progress.“

She also has a practical tip for anyone unsure how to prepare. During university she worked in a hotel, because some airlines look for customer service experience. She recommends hospitality or customer service work to anyone aiming for cabin crew.

The Crew Lounge Programme

Crew Lounge offers two IATA-certified programmes:

• 1-Year Diploma in Leadership and Management: the full international qualification, covering safety, service, leadership, and management across the aviation industry
• 6-Month Customer Service Programme: focused on service excellence and international airline recruitment preparation

Both programmes include:

• Safety and emergency procedures to ICAO international standards
• First class and business class in-flight service training
• English for aviation and professional communication
• Airline assessment preparation: group exercises, individual interviews, walk and turn
• Grooming and professional presentation coaching
• Personal CV and interview preparation with Crew Lounge founders Karim and Mimi for every student who secures an airline interview
• Access to airline open day events through Crew Lounge’s recruitment network
  
  

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

Start Here

Natsuka went from being too scared to interview to receiving a Qatar Airways offer. See where other graduates went next. Cabin crew (CA) study abroad in Malaysia, through a dedicated cabin crew airline school built for international airline recruitment, gave her the English, the preparation and the confidence to try.

If you want to take that step, the next one is a free consultation with Crew Lounge, in English or Japanese.

Book Your Free Consultation → Prefer to message first? Find us on LINE.

Crew Lounge is an IATA Premier-accredited cabin crew training academy based in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Our graduates are currently flying with Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines and more.

The post Qatar Airways CA Interview in Kuala Lumpur: Natsuka’s Offer appeared first on Crew Lounge Malaysia.

Mizuki had been rejected by so many airlines that she had started to believe cabin crew wasn’t for her.

She was turning 26, with a luxury hotel job offer in hand, and she was ready to take it. Then she talked to her mother.

“If you can live without regretting your decision for the rest of your life, then go ahead and work at a hotel.”

That was the moment she decided not to give up.

At a glance

• Before Crew Lounge: turning 26, no airline school, many rejections from airlines in Japan, and a hotel job offer
• The decision: two Japan Fairs, the second with her mother
• Malaysia Airlines interview: an exclusive session for Crew Lounge students, ten days after she joined
• Result: offer from Malaysia Airlines, contract signed, start date to be confirmed
• Biggest difference, in her words: “I no longer feel like I have to achieve my dream alone.”
  
  

Alone in Japan

Mizuki’s dream started early. She travelled abroad often as a child and saw international cabin crew at airports and on flights. “I was impressed by how they communicated with people from different countries with a warm smile.” A year studying in New Zealand in high school made her want an international career even more.

At university she took about two and a half extra years to graduate, and during that time she began applying to airlines in Japan. She had never attended an airline school.

“I didn’t know what to wear or how to prepare for airline interviews. I did everything alone, and after receiving many rejections, I gradually lost my confidence and became more negative.”

She thought about working in a hotel to build her customer service skills while still applying. The long working hours in Japan made that difficult to balance. When the hotel offer came, she talked it over with her mother, and her mother’s answer changed her mind.

Two Japan Fairs

Mizuki found Crew Lounge on Instagram and went to the Japan Fair twice. The first time she went alone and still wasn’t sure. She met Karim and Mimi in person.

“They were both very kind and took the time to explain the school and the aviation industry to me. They were also honest with me about the reality of becoming a cabin crew.“

She was turning 26, and they helped her see that it was time to act. “Since I was turning 26 this year, they helped me understand that I needed to take action and make the most of my time.” What convinced her was that honesty. “I felt that they genuinely wanted to help me achieve my dream.“

She came back to the second fair with her mother, who told her: “I will support you if this is what you really want. Step out of Japan, challenge yourself, and give your dream another chance.” Mizuki decided to join at that fair.

Not Alone Anymore

Mizuki had spent a year in New Zealand, but she still arrived in Malaysia afraid to speak English. “I was worried about making mistakes.” English classes and everyday conversations with local Malaysian students changed that.

“My English is still not perfect, but now I’m no longer afraid to speak English, make mistakes, and learn from them.“

The bigger change was the people around her. “My batchmates and I support each other instead of seeing each other as competitors. We even set a goal to achieve our dreams together. For me, the biggest difference is the environment.”

Ten Days After Joining

Ten days after she joined Crew Lounge, Malaysia Airlines gave Crew Lounge students exclusive access to an interview session. It was the airline’s decision, not something Crew Lounge arranged or requested, and Mizuki had the chance to take part. She was surprised, and she knows what the old Mizuki would have done.

“If I had still been the person I was in Japan, I probably would have given up on the opportunity because I lacked confidence and thought it was too soon.“

Her batchmates said, “Let’s just give it a try together!” She prepared with them, and with teachers who had worked as cabin crew for Malaysia Airlines. Karim and Mimi helped her improve her CV and taught her how to explain her motivation. “They taught me how to express my feelings, so I could show the interviewers why I really wanted to become a cabin crew.“

They also walked her through the different steps of the airline interview process, and taught her about Malaysia Airlines and its values. “This helped me understand what to expect and prepare in advance, instead of going into interviews without knowing what would happen.“

The teachers who had worked at Malaysia Airlines gave her something she couldn’t find online. “One thing that really touched me was the idea of the ‘MH Family.’ Hearing these real stories made me feel closer to the company, even before joining it.“

Interview Day

She was in the same group as her batchmates.

“Honestly, I was so nervous before the interview that I almost wanted to go home!“

Right before they walked in, they took a deep breath together. “It was such a simple moment, but it helped me feel less nervous, and I still remember it clearly.” Once it started, she focused on being herself. “I was able to express my personality instead of worrying too much.“

The Offer

Mizuki found out in class. An email from Malaysia Airlines arrived, and she couldn’t believe it.

“I had received so many rejection emails before, so I checked the email again and again because I thought there might be a mistake.“

The first person she told was her mother, “because she had believed in me even when I struggled to believe in myself.”

Right Now

Mizuki has signed her contract with Malaysia Airlines. Her training start date hasn’t been decided yet. “I feel both excited and a little nervous. I’m looking forward to becoming part of the Malaysia Airlines family.“

Her advice to a student who has been rejected, or who is afraid to leave Japan:

“Believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. You don’t have to feel completely ready to take the first step. Sometimes, one decision can change your life.“

The Crew Lounge Programme

Crew Lounge offers two IATA-certified programmes:

• 1-Year Diploma in Leadership and Management: the full international qualification, covering safety, service, leadership, and management across the aviation industry
• 6-Month Customer Service Programme: focused on service excellence and international airline recruitment preparation

Both programmes include:

• Safety and emergency procedures to ICAO international standards
• First class and business class in-flight service training
• English for aviation and professional communication
• Airline assessment preparation: group exercises, individual interviews, walk and turn
• Grooming and professional presentation coaching
• Personal CV and interview preparation with Crew Lounge founders Karim and Mimi for every student who secures an airline interview
• Access to airline open day events through Crew Lounge’s recruitment network
  
  

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

Start Here

Mizuki came to Crew Lounge after many rejections, with no airline school behind her and a hotel offer in her hand. Cabin crew (CA) study abroad in Malaysia, through a dedicated cabin crew airline school built for international airline recruitment, gave her a place to try again.

If you want to take that step, the next one is a free consultation with Crew Lounge, in English or Japanese.

Book Your Free Consultation → Prefer to message first? Find us on LINE.

Crew Lounge is an IATA Premier-accredited cabin crew training academy based in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Our graduates are currently flying with Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines and more.

The post Rejected in Japan, Hired by Malaysia Airlines CA at 26 appeared first on Crew Lounge Malaysia.

“When I came to Malaysia, I couldn’t speak English at all. At the beginning, I just smiled and said Good morning to everyone.” – Yuna, Crew Lounge Graduate/Emirates cabin crew

Today she is an Emirates cabin crew. Between those two points she learned the English at Crew Lounge that international airlines actually work in: not textbook grammar, but the language of the cabin, from airport codes and meal codes to the phrases you say to passengers many times on every flight.

This article walks through that language, section by section, and explains why it is far easier to learn in an environment where English is not just a school subject. If you are a Japanese student wondering whether your English is “good enough” to even start, Yuna’s story is the best place to begin.

Why aviation English comes first

Once you receive an offer from an international airline, your training takes place entirely in English. Safety procedures, in-flight service, announcements and the specialist vocabulary around them are all taught in English, and even native speakers find the volume of new terminology demanding.

The selection process happens in English too. Yuna’s Emirates assessment moved through four stages and finished with a one-to-one interview, in a room of international candidates. Composure and clear communication in an unfamiliar setting are exactly what that kind of assessment looks for, and vocabulary that already feels familiar helps you stay calm when the language gets technical. All these were taught by Crew Lounge.

Her English did not improve in a straight line

The honest version of Yuna’s story includes a low point. Early on, when her English did not seem to be improving, she wanted to go home.

“When I felt my English wasn’t improving, I really wanted to go home. I even called my family and cried on the phone.” – Yuna

She stayed. What changed things was not one big breakthrough but daily use: English classes, and time with local friends.

“Through English classes and spending time with local friends, my English improved. I used to make English sentences in my head, but one day I became able to imagine and speak it.” – Yuna

That shift, from translating in your head to simply speaking, is what every language learner is working toward. Aviation English is the same journey with a specialist vocabulary on top. The good news is that the vocabulary is learnable, and it is learnable in small pieces.

The language of the cabin: six things to learn first

Here is a small selection of the aviation English that international cabin crew use every day. It is a head start, not a complete list.

1. Airport codes

Every airport in the world has a three-letter IATA code. Cabin crew see them on every roster, boarding pass and flight plan.

• KUL – Kuala Lumpur
• DXB – Dubai
• DOH – Doha
• HND – Tokyo Haneda
• LHR – London Heathrow
• JFK – New York

A simple habit: when you see a route like KUL–DXB, say it out loud as “Kuala Lumpur to Dubai”. After a few weeks the codes become as natural as station names.

2. Cabin class abbreviations

• FC – First Class
• JC – Business Class
• YC – Economy Class

You will hear these in every pre-flight briefing, for example: “We have 30 passengers in JC today.” Abbreviations can differ slightly between airlines.

3. Special meal codes

Passengers can request special meals for dietary, religious or health reasons. Each meal has a four-letter code, and crew are responsible for serving the right meal to the right passenger.

• VGML – Vegan meal
• BBML – Baby meal
• CHML – Child meal
• MOML – Muslim meal

Getting a code wrong means a passenger with a real requirement receives the wrong meal, which is why crew drill these until they are automatic.

4. The phonetic alphabet

To avoid mistakes over the radio or the cabin interphone, aviation uses a standard spelling alphabet: A is Alpha, B is Bravo, C is Charlie, D is Delta. Seat 23C becomes “two-three Charlie”. Try spelling your own name with it, then your home address.

5. Onboard safety equipment

• Fire extinguisher
• Oxygen bottle
• Safety demonstration kit

At Crew Lounge, students learn with real cabin equipment, not just pictures in a textbook. Saying the name while holding the item is the fastest way to remember both.

6. Service phrases you will use on every flight

• “May I see your boarding pass, please?”
• “Would you like something to drink?”
• “Could you please fasten your seatbelt?”
• “Is there anything else I can get for you?”

The phrases are simple. What airlines notice is how you say them: warm, clear and unhurried. Crew Lounge teaches you this.

Why an English-speaking environment makes it stick

Memorising a list gets you part of the way. Using it every day gets you the rest.

Yuna’s classes at Crew Lounge ran from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon and included English for aviation alongside safety and emergency procedures, service training and grooming. After class came sport, friends and ordinary daily life, all in English. She also found that her classmates changed how she thought, not only how she spoke.

“Studying with students from different backgrounds helped me learn not only English, but also different ways of thinking.” – Yuna

That is the difference between learning aviation English and living it. Read more: why studying in Malaysia builds real English

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

Start here

“Everything starts with the first step. First believe in yourself and keep moving forward. Nothing will happen unless you take action, so just start.” – Yuna

You do not need to be fluent on day one. You need to start. Add us on LINE and get the START BOOK We also hold free online consultations every week.

Want the full picture first? Read Yuna’s full story or see our IATA cabin crew training course

Crew Lounge is an IATA Premier-accredited cabin crew training academy based in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

The post Why Aviation English for International CA Cabin Crew is important appeared first on Crew Lounge Malaysia.

When Yuna arrived in Malaysia to train as cabin crew, she had one question running through her head: is my English good enough to even try?

“When I came to Malaysia, I couldn’t speak English at all. At the beginning, I just smiled and said Good morning to everyone.” – Yuna, Crew Lounge graduate now Emirates cabin crew

She is now Emirates cabin crew. Almost every Japanese applicant we speak to starts with the same kind of worry, about English, height, age, education or simply whether they are the right sort of person. The questions below are the ones we hear most often, and we have answered them honestly, including where the answer is “it depends on the airline”.

One rule runs through all of them: airline requirements change. Use these answers to get oriented, then check each airline’s current requirements before you apply.

English

Height, age and education

Studying and choosing a school

Interviews and preparation

Getting started

The first step is the hardest one

Yuna’s own advice to anyone still reading and hesitating:

“Everything starts with the first step. First believe in yourself and keep moving forward. Nothing will happen unless you take action, so just start.” – Yuna

You do not need perfect English, a university degree or a plan for every stage. You need to start. Add us on LINE and get the START BOOK We also hold free online consultations every week. Want the full picture first? Read Yuna’s full story or see our IATA cabin crew training course.

Crew Lounge is a cabin crew academy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, training Japanese students for international airlines. 

The post Discover our Cabin Crew FAQ’s for Japanese CA Applicants appeared first on Crew Lounge Malaysia.

Many Japanese people who dream of flying abroad end up with the same question: Qatar Airways or Emirates? Both are Gulf airlines. Both are famous for five-star service. Both hire Japanese cabin crew. But daily life can feel quite different.

This post looks at the parts that matter most to a Japanese reader: where you live, how you spend your days off, how it feels to be one of few Japanese people, and what to think about before you choose.

Two cities, two lifestyles

Qatar Airways is based in Doha. Emirates is based in Dubai.

Dubai is large, busy and very international. There are many restaurants, shopping malls and beaches. There are also many expatriates from all over the world, including a Japanese community. For many people, this makes Dubai feel easier to settle into.

Doha is smaller and calmer. Life is quieter. Some crew like this. They say it is easier to save money and rest between flights. Others find it less exciting.

Neither city is better. It depends on the kind of person you are.

Living far from home

Both airlines are known for supporting new crew when they move abroad. Accommodation is normally arranged by the airline, and many new crew share with colleagues. Terms differ by airline and change over time, so always read the current information from the airline.

Whichever you choose, you will live with people from many countries. For most Japanese crew, this is the biggest change. You will learn to share space, share food and share stories with colleagues from every part of the world.

Being Japanese on the crew

There are fewer Japanese people than you might expect. This can feel lonely at first. It can also be your biggest strength.

Passengers from Japan often feel relieved to be served by a Japanese crew member. Airlines also value the care and attention to detail that many Japanese people bring to service. You are not just another new face. You bring something that other crew members cannot easily copy.

Days off and travel

One reason people choose this career is travel. Cabin crew at both airlines can see many cities in the world through their work. Some people use their days off to explore. Others prefer to stay home and rest. Both are normal.

How to choose

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do I want a big, busy city or a quieter one?
• Do I prefer a very international setting or a smaller community?
• Which airline’s style of service feels more like me?
• Which airline is hiring Japanese candidates now?

The last question matters most. Hiring changes from year to year. The airline that is open today may be different next year.

Read next

• How Yuna became Emirates cabin crew 
• How Mana and Rino became Qatar Airways cabin crew 
• Cabin crew salary: how the Gulf airlines compare 

Want to talk about which airline suits you?

Crew Lounge is an IATA-accredited cabin crew academy in Malaysia, and we have Japanese-speaking staff. If you are deciding between airlines, or are not sure where to begin, please Contact us on LINE. We are happy to talk with you in Japanese or English.

The post Qatar Airways vs Emirates: Life as Japanese CA Cabin Crew appeared first on Crew Lounge Malaysia.

When people think of Gulf airlines, Emirates and Qatar Airways come to mind first. Etihad Airways is the third. It is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, based in Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi, not Dubai

Many people think Etihad is in Dubai. It is not. Abu Dhabi is the capital. It is calmer and greener than Dubai, and quieter in the evenings. Dubai is about an hour or so away by road, so crew can still visit.

What Etihad is known for

Etihad promotes a premium, elegant style of service. The look and feel is polished and calm. For people who value quiet, careful service, this may feel close to the Japanese idea of hospitality.

Can Japanese people apply?

Gulf airlines hire from many countries, and Japanese nationals have been part of the crew. But hiring is not constant. Airlines open and close recruitment depending on their needs. This is why it is important to stay informed and be ready before hiring opens. Crew Lounge can keep you up to date.

What to think about before you apply

• English. It is the working language of the cabin. You do not need to sound like a native speaker, but you do need to be comfortable and speak well. To improve, choose an English environment. Malaysia is genuinely multilingual.
• Life abroad. You will live away from family in a country with a different culture.
• Preparation. Candidates who have studied cabin crew basics and practised in English usually feel calmer in the process.

Etihad compared with the other Gulf airlines

Each airline has its own style and its own city. If you are comparing, read our posts on Emirates and Qatar Airways too. or discover. Etihad Airways itself pays a tax-free salary with free accommodation, worth understanding before you compare options.

Frequently asked questions

Talk with us

Crew Lounge in Malaysia is an IATA-accredited CA academy with Japanese-speaking staff. If you are unsure where to start, Contact us on LINE for a free consultation in English or Japanese.

The post Etihad Airways CA Cabin Crew: Guide for Japanese Applicants appeared first on Crew Lounge Malaysia.

Many people in Japan dream of working for a foreign airline. They often start with one question: “Do these airlines really hire Japanese people?”

The short answer is yes, some do. But it changes from year to year. This post explains how to think about it.

Gulf airlines

Emirates and Qatar Airways are the best known. Both have Japanese crew, and both have hired from Japan and from other Asian countries in the past. Etihad Airways is a third option in the same region.

Asian airlines

Singapore Airlines is famous for its service. Other Asian airlines like Cathay Pacific also hire internationally. Each has its own rules about language, nationality and base.

Why hiring is not always open

Airlines hire when they need more crew. When flights are cut, hiring slows. When routes grow, hiring grows. So the best time to prepare is before an announcement, not after.

What most airlines look for

• Good English
• A warm, calm manner with people
• Willingness to live abroad
• Meeting the basic requirements published by each airline

Japanese strengths

Many Japanese applicants worry about their English. But service skill, politeness and attention to detail are real strengths. Airlines know this.

Where to start

Make a short list of the airlines you like. Then talk to us, and we will help you decide what to improve: English, confidence, knowledge of the industry.

Frequently asked questions

Talk with us

Crew Lounge in Malaysia is an IATA-accredited CA academy with Japanese-speaking staff. If you are unsure where to start, Contact us on LINE for a free consultation in English or Japanese.

The post Discover Foreign Airlines That Hire Japanese CA Cabin Crew appeared first on Crew Lounge Malaysia.

Yuhi was working as ground staff at an airport in Okinawa when he decided that watching planes leave wasn’t enough anymore. He’d planned to become a geography teacher. Then he started flying as a passenger, over and over, watching the cabin crew instead of the view. Somewhere in there, the plan changed.

One week before his Malaysia Airlines offer, he sat in an interview room for Emirates, his first-ever cabin crew interview, for the airline he’d dreamed about since this all started. It didn’t work out. Seven days later, in a different room, for a different airline, it did.

At a glance

• First-ever cabin crew interview: Emirates, did not pass.
• One week later: Malaysia Airlines, an interview session run exclusively for Crew Lounge students. Offer.
• Preparation before every interview: 4-5 CV and interview practice sessions with Crew Lounge founders Karim and Mimi.
• Now: offer secured, back at Crew Lounge, waiting on a start date.

This is how it happened.

The First Interview

Emirates was Yuhi’s introduction to what a cabin crew interview actually feels like. He’d never done one before. He remembers the excitement of the invitation more than almost anything else from that period.

“I felt like I could fly.” It didn’t go his way.

“The result didn’t turn out the way I had hoped. Of course, I was really disappointed. I had spent a lot of time preparing for the interview, and Emirates had been my dream airline for a long time.”

Most people, a week out from another airline’s interview, would still be sitting with that. Yuhi made a deliberate choice instead. “I chose to see it as a learning experience rather than a failure, and I used that experience to prepare even harder for my next opportunity.“

He already knew the Malaysia Airlines interview was coming before the Emirates result landed. When the answer came back no, there wasn’t a version of the week where he considered skipping it. “I never considered skipping the Malaysia Airlines interview.“

What actually shifted his thinking wasn’t a pep talk or time passing. It was the room itself.

“After attending the Emirates interview, I met so many outstanding candidates. Seeing their passion and professionalism made me realize that I had chosen the right industry. For a long time, I had only been focused on Emirates, but I came to understand that there are many different paths to building a successful cabin crew career.”

 

Why Malaysia Airlines?

Malaysia Airlines gave Crew Lounge students exclusive access to this interview session, a decision the airline made. That trust is part of what makes Yuhi’s story possible in the first place.

For Yuhi personally, He’d originally been drawn to the Middle East since he first got interested in aviation. What changed his mind wasn’t a ranking or a salary comparison, it was learning what the airline actually is.

“As I learned more about Malaysia Airlines, I came to admire its long history, strong reputation, and the pride of being the national airline of Malaysia.”

When the offer came, it wasn’t a consolation prize after Emirates. It was its own milestone, the first time in his life, by his own account, that he cried tears of happiness.

Why Crew Lounge?

Yuhi didn’t stumble into Crew Lounge. He went looking for the fastest legitimate route to his goal while still working ground staff shifts in Japan. What convinced him wasn’t marketing, it was who was standing in front of the classroom.

“I decided to join because Karim and Mimi were actual recruiters for the Middle Eastern airlines I had always dreamed of working for. Learning interview skills directly from the people who had been responsible for selecting and hiring cabin crew for my dream airlines was an opportunity I couldn’t miss.”

That’s the relationship Crew Lounge’s Japan students are really buying into, not a promise of access to any one airline, but the standing Karim and Mimi have built over years as recruiters themselves, and what that means for how credibly they can prepare someone to sit across from an airline’s own hiring panel.

The first few weeks in Malaysia weren’t easy. Yuhi had never studied abroad and wasn’t confident in his English.

“I was worried about everything at first. I wondered if I would be able to make friends, whether I could receive a job offer within a year, and how I would adapt to living in a completely new country.”

“But people in Crew Lounge are really nice, food, people, safety, everything is wonderful so far.“

 

The Training

At Crew Lounge, the curriculum went well beyond interview coaching. Safety and emergency procedure testing gave the whole programme a real sense of weight, Yuhi says.

“Because we treated every scenario seriously, the classes had a real sense of responsibility and urgency, just like actual cabin crew training.”

There were points where he doubted himself.

“There were moments when I felt like I wasn’t good enough. But everyone at Crew Lounge shares the same dream, so I never felt like I was alone.”

Yuhi – Malaysia Airlines Cabin Crew (offer secured, awaiting start date)

“I would tell them four things: believe in yourself, never give up, keep putting in the effort, and enjoy the journey.”

 

The Malaysia Airlines Interview

Getting the Invitation

Malaysia Airlines didn’t hold an open recruitment day for this, it ran an interview process specifically for Crew Lounge students. Yuhi’s reaction wasn’t confidence. It was surprise.

“I was honestly surprised. To me, it showed how much Malaysia Airlines trusts Crew Lounge. The fact that they organised an interview session exclusively for Crew Lounge students says a lot about the school’s reputation.“

He credits part of that trust to trainer Nora, who spent years working for Malaysia Airlines before joining Crew Lounge.

That trust isn’t incidental, every Crew Lounge student who reaches an airline interview goes through personal CV preparation and an interview bootcamp with founders Karim and Mimi first, both former recruiters for major international airlines. Yuhi’s Malaysia Airlines interview was no exception. 

Inside the Room

The process moved through several stages over the day. A grooming check was, by some distance, the most nerve-wracking part.

“I still remember feeling extremely nervous because the interviewers examined my face, skin, teeth, hands, and overall appearance from a very close distance.”

Asked what set him apart in a room where not everyone walked out with an offer, Yuhi doesn’t reach for a story about talent.

“I don’t think I stood out because I have some extraordinary ability. If there was anything that made a difference, it was the people around me.”

The CV preparation and interview practice with Karim and Mimi, he says, is the difference between walking in as himself and walking in ready.

“If I had gone into that interview on my own, I honestly don’t think I would have had the same level of confidence, posture, or attitude.“

It’s a relationship built on their own years in airline recruitment, not a script, the difference between being coached by people who’ve taught interview technique and being coached by the people who used to decide who got hired.

That preparation ran ahead of every interview he went into, Emirates included, roughly four or five sessions each time. And it wasn’t generic rehearsal.

“Surprisingly, what happened during the actual interview was that some of the questions they asked were actually things Karim had taught me before. That made me realise that all we had to do was show them what we had practiced.”

 

The Offer

Ask him what the wait between the interview and hearing back actually felt like, and he doesn’t reach for anxiety.

“I’ve actually just been feeling pretty calm. I was just waiting for the official letter. I don’t usually expect too much, that’s just my personality.”

He was in Japan, temporarily, when the email came. Early morning. Alone. Still worn out from a part-time shift the day before.

“I found the email when I woke up early in the morning. I was actually alone, but I became super happy when I saw it.”

His best friends at Crew Lounge heard first. Then Nora. His parents didn’t hear until he was back in Malaysia.

“I basically don’t usually tell my parents much about myself because I’ve been choosing my own path since I was young. That’s just my identity.”

 

Right Now: Waiting to Start

Life While He Waits

Yuhi has the offer. He doesn’t have a start date yet. He’s still at Crew Lounge, treating the wait as work, not downtime.

“I am using this time to prepare myself mentally for the training ahead. I don’t want to waste a single day.”

Having the offer changed how he thinks about the role, not the finish line he expected it to be.

“Now that I have received the offer, I have started to truly realise that the dream I have been working toward is finally becoming a reality. At the same time, this is not the end of the journey.”

He describes the in-between feeling less like limbo, more like an extension of the same environment that got him here.

“Crew Lounge feels like an airline to me in many ways. Every day, they encourage us to see ourselves as future aviation professionals.”

 

What He’d Tell the Next Student

To a student sitting where he was a week before his Emirates interview, or a week after it:

“A rejection does not mean that you should give it up. It’s a chance to get better, look back on yourself. Trust me, keep believing in yourself, continue working hard, and your time will come.“

Asked to sum up the whole stretch, Emirates, one week, Malaysia Airlines, in a single sentence:

“Life is a journey including happiness, sadness, unforgettable moments, that’s because life is fun.”

 

 

The Crew Lounge Programme

Crew Lounge offers two IATA-certified programmes:

• 1-Year Diploma in Leadership and Management – the full international qualification, covering safety, service, leadership, and management across the aviation industry
• 6-Month Customer Service Programme – focused on service excellence and international airline recruitment preparation.

 

Both programmes include:

• Safety and emergency procedures to ICAO international standards
• First class and business class in-flight service training
• English for aviation and professional communication
• Airline assessment preparation — group exercises, individual interviews, walk and turn
• Grooming and professional presentation coaching
• Personal CV and interview preparation with Crew Lounge founders Karim and Mimi for every student who secures an airline interview
• Access to Emirates and other airline open day events through Crew Lounge’s recruitment network

 

Yuhi completed his programme, went through an Emirates interview that didn’t work out, and a week later walked into a Malaysia Airlines interview that did. That is not a straight line. It is a realistic one.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I don’t pass my first airline interview?

Ask Yuhi. He didn’t pass his first one, Emirates and had a Malaysia Airlines offer within a week of the result. Many Crew Lounge graduates receive their offer after more than one attempt. One interview not working out is not the end of the process; it’s often part of it.

What if Malaysia Airlines isn’t the airline I originally wanted?

It’s a common starting point. Many Japanese students begin their search drawn to the Gulf carriers or Singapore Airlines, often because they’re seen as premium carriers and Yuhi was one of them. What changed his mind wasn’t a ranking or a recommendation; it was learning what Malaysia Airlines actually offers once the opportunity was in front of him. Crew Lounge prepares students for whichever airline’s process they’re actually going through, the goal is a strong offer, not talking anyone out of where they started.

Is there Japanese language support at Crew Lounge?

Yes. We have Japanese-speaking staff and can support you through everything from your first enquiry to post-training recruitment in Japanese. You can also speak directly with Japanese alumni, including graduates now flying with Malaysia Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Etihad.

How does Crew Lounge prepare students for airline interviews specifically?

Every student who secures an airline interview goes through personal CV preparation and interview bootcamp with Crew Lounge founders Karim and Mimi, both former recruiters for major international airlines, on top of the core IATA-certified programme. Full fees and preparation details are covered in your free consultation.

How much does cabin crew study abroad in Malaysia cost?

Full fees are covered in your free consultation. Training in Malaysia is substantially more affordable than equivalent IATA-certified programmes in Japan, Australia, or Canada. Book a free consultation for our fees and comparison for a full breakdown including a side-by-side country comparison.

Yuhi’s story isn’t a straight line from dream to offer. It’s a story about a rejection that didn’t stop him, and a different airline that said yes a week later.

Cabin crew (CA) study abroad in Malaysia, through a dedicated cabin crew airline school built specifically for international airline recruitment, is the most direct, most affordable, and most proven route for Japanese students pursuing a career at Malaysia Airlines or other world-class carriers — including the ones that don’t say yes on the first try.

If that is the path you want, the next step is a free consultation with Crew Lounge in English or Japanese.

Book Your Free Consultation → Prefer to message first? Find us on LINE.

Crew Lounge is an IATA Premier-accredited cabin crew training academy based in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Our graduates are currently flying with Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, and more.

 

The post Yuhi Didn’t Pass Emirates. One Week Later, Malaysia Airlines Said Yes appeared first on Crew Lounge Malaysia.

“I missed my chance to become cabin crew as a new graduate.” “I’ve been working for a few years, but I still can’t let go of the dream.”

If either sentence sounds like you, the door is not closed. International airlines recruit very differently from Japanese airlines, and many of the things that worry career changers most turn out to be more manageable than they look. This article covers five of them: how international recruitment works, the requirements to check, why your work experience counts, how to build your English, and when to leave your job.

1. International airlines do not recruit like Japanese airlines

Japanese airlines are known for a once-a-year graduate intake. Many international airlines work differently. They recruit throughout the year through open days and assessment days, and what they assess is what you show on the day: your English, your service mindset and how you present yourself, not the year you graduated.

Open days follow a format. Yuna’s Emirates assessment, for example, moved through four stages and ended with a one-to-one interview. Knowing the format in advance, and practising for it, is a big part of preparation. How does international cabin crew pay compare with Japanese airlines?

2. Check each airline’s requirements first

Requirements differ from airline to airline, and they change. As of our latest check in September 2026:

• Emirates: minimum age 21, minimum height 160cm, arm reach 212cm, and Grade 12 education.
• Qatar Airways: arm reach 212cm and 10 years of education. No TOEIC score or IATA certificate is required.
• Etihad: age 21, height 163cm, Grade 12, no arm reach listed. This differs from Emirates, so don’t group the two.
• Singapore Airlines: age 18, 158cm women / 165cm men. Education depends on the base.
• AirAsia: age 18, 157cm women / 170cm men, arm reach 210cm.
• Malaysia Airlines: age 18 to 35, 157cm women / 165cm men, diploma required, work visa needed.
• Cathay Pacific: age 18, reach 208cm, high school diploma, plus one extra Asian language for Hong Kong roles.
• Vietnam Airlines: age 18 to 30 for women and 18 to 32 for men, with height ranges and 212cm reach.
• Crew Lounge entry requirement: 157cm for women, 165cm for men. (Shorter candidates may still apply for ground roles.)

3. Your work experience is a strength

Looking after customers, working as part of a team, staying calm when things go wrong: these are exactly the qualities airlines look for, and a few years of working life gives you real examples of each.

In an interview, a specific story from your job is more convincing than a general statement about being a team player. Start collecting those stories now: a difficult customer you handled, a deadline the team met together, a time you stayed calm under pressure.

4. English is the biggest hurdle, and it can be built

Interviews and training are all in English, and this is what most career changers worry about. English grows with the right environment.

Yuna was a university student rather than a career changer, but her starting point is the one many career changers fear. She arrived in Malaysia barely able to speak English.

“When I came to Malaysia, I couldn’t speak English at all. At the beginning, I just smiled and said Good morning to everyone.” – Yuna, Crew Lounge graduate now Emirates cabin crew

She also wanted to go home when progress felt slow. She stayed, and through classes and daily life with local friends her English improved until she received an offer from Emirates. Read Yuna’s story

5. Plan when to leave your job

Some people start preparing while they are still working. Others take the step to study full-time. Crew Lounge offers two IATA-certified programmes, a 1-Year Diploma in Leadership and Management and a 6-Month Customer Service Programme, so you can choose what fits your situation.

Students also receive personal CV preparation and interview bootcamp with Crew Lounge founders Karim and Mimi when they secure an airline interview. Many of our graduates received their offer after more than one attempt, and we support students through multiple rounds. About our IATA cabin crew training course.

The key is to make a plan and start, rather than wait for the “perfect” moment.

From someone who made the change

Utano worked as a hotel receptionist in Tokyo for three years before she joined Crew Lounge. Here, in her own words, is why she changed direction, what worried her, and what she would say to anyone still hesitating.

Why she decided to aim for cabin crew:

“After the COVID-19 pandemic, I had more opportunities to assist guests from overseas. This made me realize that I wanted to use English more in my work, work with people from different countries, and have a career that would allow me to work overseas.” 

Her biggest worry was English, even though she had studied abroad at university:

“My biggest concern was my English. I had studied abroad when I was a university student, so I could communicate in English at a daily conversational level. However, I had never worked overseas or had an interview in English, so I was worried about whether my English was good enough to actually work abroad and whether I could handle an interview in English.” – Utano

What changed that:

“I was attracted to the fact that I could learn about cabin crew training in English before actually joining an airline. I also liked the fact that Crew Lounge is in Malaysia, where I could communicate with people from different backgrounds and get used to hearing a variety of English accents.” 

“With the interview practice and support from Karim and Mimi, I gradually became more confident. I was able to challenge myself to attend interviews with international airlines, something I could not try when I was still in Japan.” 

And her hotel years turned out to count in the interview room:

“In fact, in many of the airline interviews I have attended, I have been asked a lot of questions about my previous hotel experience, so my work experience has been very helpful throughout the interview process.” – Utano

Her message to anyone hesitating:

“If you don’t take action, you cannot get any closer to your dream. The earlier you take that first step, the more opportunities you have to learn from your experiences, even if things don’t go as planned.” 

“And your previous work experience is not a detour. It can actually become one of your biggest strengths.” – Utano

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

Not sure where to start?

You do not have to work it out alone. Talk to us free on LINE or join one of our free weekly online consultations. We will help you check the requirements and plan your timing.

Crew Lounge is an IATA Premier-accredited cabin crew training academy based in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

The post How to Change Your Career to CA合格 appeared first on Crew Lounge Malaysia.

She Didn’t Know How to Write a CV. Now Flying as Qatar Airways CA.

“Crew Lounge is an incredibly meaningful place for anyone aiming for a foreign airline. I honestly didn’t even know how to write a CV, but with support from Principal Karim and the experienced trainers, I was able to walk into the interview with confidence and receive an offer from my dream airline, Qatar Airways.”

That’s Mana, in her own words. Not a polished sound bite written for a brochure — the actual gap she started from. No CV. No idea what an international airline was even looking for. Today she’s cabin crew for Qatar Airways, one of the most selective airlines in the world, based in Doha.

At a glance

– Two Japanese students, one outcome: both now flying as Qatar Airways cabin crew, based in Doha

– Mana’s starting point: “I didn’t even know how to write a CV”

– Rino’s starting point: a dream without a clear plan behind it yet

– What changed for both: personal CV preparation and interview coaching with Crew Lounge founders Karim and Mimi

– Qatar Airways’ global cabin crew acceptance rate is famously low, this isn’t an airline that takes underprepared candidates

Both are Qatar Airways CA now 

Qatar Airways doesn’t have a reputation for being easy. It’s a five-star airline with a five-star hiring bar global assessment days, hundreds of applicants for a handful of seats, English-language interviews conducted by recruiters who do this for a living and see thousands of candidates a year.

Mana and Rino didn’t have airline industry backgrounds. They didn’t train in Japan, at a domestic airline school built around JAL or ANA recruitment. They didn’t move to Australia or Canada for an English-speaking country with an aviation programme. They trained at Crew Lounge, in Malaysia – and went through the Qatar Airways process from there.

Both are Qatar Airways CA now.

Why Not a Domestic Airline School

Most Japanese students who want to become cabin crew start where the system points them: domestic airline preparation schools, built for JAL, ANA, and Japanese regional carriers. The curriculum, the CV format, the interview training, the grooming standard,  all of it calibrated for a Japanese recruitment process.

Qatar Airways doesn’t run that process. Its interviews happen in English, assessed by international recruiters looking for composure in an unfamiliar setting, communication that works across cultures, and a service instinct built for passengers from more than 160 countries. A domestic Japanese airline school was never going to prepare Mana or Rino for that room specifically.

Why Malaysia, Why Crew Lounge

Cost. Cabin crew study abroad in Australia or Canada can run two to three times the price of equivalent training in Malaysia for the same IATA-certified outcome.

The English environment. Malaysia is genuinely multilingual,  Malay, Chinese, Indian, and an international student body on top of that. English gets built through daily life, not just classroom hours.

Proximity to the airlines themselves. Kuala Lumpur is a regular stop for Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad, and Singapore Airlines recruitment. Training in Malaysia means being close to the actual process, not flying in once for an assessment and flying home.

Karim and Mimi. Every Crew Lounge student who reaches an airline interview goes through personal CV preparation and an interview bootcamp with Crew Lounge’s founders first,  both former recruiters for major international airlines. That’s not a marketing line. It’s the specific thing both Mana and Rino point to. It’s the same preparation behind graduate Yuna’s move to Emirates, and graduate Kirari’s offer from SE Asia.

What Changed for Mana

Mana’s own words carry the whole story better than anything written around them could:

“I honestly didn’t even know how to write a CV, but with support from Principal Karim and the experienced trainers, I was able to walk into the interview with confidence and receive an offer from my dream airline, Qatar Airways. I’m truly grateful to Crew Lounge for their generous support in helping me achieve that dream.”

Not having a CV at all is a real starting point for a lot of Japanese students who’ve never applied to an international company. The gap between “I don’t know where to start” and “offer from Qatar Airways” is exactly the gap Crew Lounge’s CV and interview preparation exists to close.

What Changed for Rino

Rino’s account points at the same thing from a different angle, less about not knowing where to start, more about a dream that hadn’t yet become a plan:

“The trainers supported me not only in class but also by reviewing my CV and preparing me for interviews. Since joining Crew Lounge, my dream of becoming a cabin crew has steadily turned into a clear goal. I’m very grateful to the trainers and my friends who have supported me on this journey.“

“Steadily turned into a clear goal” is a specific kind of progress not a single breakthrough moment, but a dream that got more real one prepared interview at a time.

What the Qatar Airways Process Actually Involves

For students who’ve only seen a domestic airline interview, Qatar Airways’ format is genuinely unfamiliar. Assessment days typically move through several stages, a CV drop, group exercise, English evaluation, and individual interview are common — and throughout, recruiters are watching composure and how candidates engage with the room, not just how they answer questions.

Japanese candidates bring real strengths here. The attentiveness and guest-first instinct that’s second nature in Japanese service culture is exactly what a five-star airline is trained to look for. What most candidates need to build isn’t service instinct — it’s confidence operating in English, in an unfamiliar assessment format, under people who are evaluating a lot more than the words in the answer.

The Crew Lounge Programme

Crew Lounge offers two IATA-certified programmes:

• 1-Year Diploma in Leadership and Management – the full international qualification, covering safety, service, leadership, and management across the aviation industry
• 6-Month Customer Service Programme – focused on service excellence and international airline recruitment preparation.

Both programmes include:

• Safety and emergency procedures to ICAO international standards
• First class and business class in-flight service training
• English for aviation and professional communication
• Airline assessment preparation — group exercises, individual interviews, walk and turn
• Grooming and professional presentation coaching
• Personal CV and interview preparation with Crew Lounge founders Karim and Mimi for every student who secures an airline interview
• Access to Emirates and other airline open day events through Crew Lounge’s recruitment network

FAQ

Start Here

Mana and Rino aren’t rare exceptions. They’re two Japanese students who started without an airline-ready CV or a fully formed plan, and are now flying for one of the most selective airlines in the world.

Cabin crew (CA) study abroad in Malaysia, through a dedicated cabin crew airline school built specifically for international airline recruitment, is the most direct, most affordable, and most proven route for Japanese students pursuing a career at Qatar Airways or other world-class carriers. Qatar Airways itself pays a tax-free salary with free accommodation, worth understanding before you compare options.

If that’s the path you want, the next step is a free consultation with Crew Lounge in English or Japanese.

Book Your Free Consultation → Prefer to message first? Find us on LINE.

Crew Lounge is an IATA Premier-accredited cabin crew training academy based in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Our graduates are currently flying with Qatar Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, and more.

The post Crew Lounge Graduates. Now Flying Qatar Airways CA appeared first on Crew Lounge Malaysia.