Talented chefs and passionate hospitality workers in America looking for a high-flying career move will have the chance after Etihad Airways said it would start a recruitment drive in the United States.

Etihad, which last week announced new flights to Dallas and Los Angeles, said recruitment would take place next year in Chicago, New York and Washington.

“To support the rapid, dynamic expansion of Etihad Airways, we are delighted to host our recruitment drive in the US,” said Aubrey Tiedt, Etihad’s vice president of guest services.

The Abu Dhabi-based carrier also operates seven lounges around the world, one of them based at Washington Dulles International Airport. The airline said it planned to open more lounges in the US next year.

Currently, Etihad has more than 200 US employees, including 66 pilots and 27 cabin crew.

“With over 138 different nationalities of cabin crew at Etihad already coupled with its rapid expansion in just 10 short years. [This] shows that the airline is an appealing employer of choice and many in the United States will relish the opportunity to find cabin-crew careers with an airline that is far ahead of any other in the US,” said Saj Ahmad, the chief analyst at StrategicAero Research

Etihad, which aims to add more than 30 routes by 2020, said last week that it was in talks with Alitalia, the Italian carrier seeking a new international partner and fresh funding. Etihad already owns stakes in Air Seychelles, Air Berlin, Virgin Australia, Air Serbia, Ireland’s Aer Lingus, and India’s Jet Airways.

The carrier recently announced that it would add daily flights to Rome, and Jaipur in India, in addition to four flights per week to Yerevan in Armenia. By 2014, Etihad will fly to 102 destinations.

Etihad is expecting 20 aircraft deliveries in 2014, which will include 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A380s.

At last month’s Dubai Airshow, Etihad announced 199 new orders from Boeing and Airbus.

selgazzar@thenational.ae