20 Air New Zealand Interview Questions and Answers

Air New Zealand is one of the world’s leading airlines, flying to over 260 destinations across the globe. If you’re lucky enough to score an interview with this prestigious company, you’ll want to be prepared with answers to some specific questions about the airline. In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common questions asked in an Air New Zealand interview, along with some tips on how to answer them.

Air New Zealand Interview Process

The interview process at Air New Zealand can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, only shortlisted applicants will be formally interviewed, while for others, all applicants may be interviewed. If there are many similar skilled applicants for a job, employers could do initial short or less formal interviews to shortlist candidates for a formal interview. The length of the hiring process can also vary, but it is typically two to five weeks.

1. What is your experience dealing with difficult clients?

Airline employees often interact with customers who are unhappy about something. The interviewer wants to know how you handle these situations and if you have any strategies for improving the customer’s experience.

Example: “I’ve had a few difficult clients in my past positions, but I always try to remain calm and listen to their concerns. If they’re upset, I apologize and explain what steps I’ll take to resolve the issue. For example, when a client complained that her flight was delayed, I explained that we were experiencing technical difficulties and offered her a voucher for another trip. She appreciated our efforts and ended up enjoying her vacation.”

2. Do you have any experience working in a fast-paced environment?

Air New Zealand is a fast-paced environment, and the interviewer wants to know if you can handle the pressure. Use your answer to highlight your ability to work in a high-pressure situation.

Example: “I have worked in a fast-paced environment before, and I am comfortable with it. In my last role as an air traffic controller, we had to make quick decisions on the runway. We also had to communicate effectively with pilots and other controllers. I think that working at Air New Zealand would be a great fit for me.”

3. How would you handle an angry customer?

Airline employees often have to deal with unhappy customers. The interviewer wants to know how you would handle this situation and if you can do so in a professional manner.

Example: “I would first apologize for the inconvenience and then try to find out what I could do to help them. If they are upset about something, I would listen carefully and take notes on their concerns. Then, I would offer solutions or ways that we could improve the customer’s experience. For example, if they were late to their flight because of an issue at the airport, I would see if there was anything I could do to make up for it.”

4. Why do you want to work for Air New Zealand?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your interest in their company. When preparing for this interview, make sure you research the company and understand what they do. Consider how it aligns with your own career goals and values.

Example: “I have always been fascinated by aviation, so I am excited to work for Air New Zealand. Your airline has an excellent reputation for customer service, which is something that’s important to me as well. I also love traveling, so working for an airline would be a dream come true.”

5. What are some of the most important qualities that Flight Attendants should possess?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you possess these qualities. You can list several qualities and explain why they are important in this role.

Example: “I believe that Flight Attendants should be friendly, patient and empathetic people who enjoy helping others. I also think it’s important for them to have a good sense of humor because they often need to diffuse tense situations with their passengers. Finally, I think it’s essential for Flight Attendants to be organized and detail-oriented individuals.”

6. Can you tell me about a time when you were faced with a stressful situation, how did you handle it?

Air travel can be stressful, especially when you’re working for an airline. The interviewer wants to know how you handle stress and if you have any experience with handling it in the past.

Example: “I once had a passenger who was very upset because we were delayed on our flight. I calmly explained that there was nothing I could do about the delay but that I would give them a voucher for another flight at no charge. They calmed down after that and thanked me for my help.”

7. Are you prepared to be on call and available at any time during the day or night if necessary?

This question is designed to determine if you are willing to work irregular hours and be available at any time. It also helps the interviewer understand your availability for travel, which may include international flights.

Example: “Yes, I am prepared to be on call and available at any time during the day or night if necessary. In my previous role as a flight attendant, I was required to be on call 24/7, so this would not be an issue for me.”

8. Is there anything about our company culture that you feel like you wouldn’t fit into?

This question is a great way for employers to see if you’ve done your research on their company. They want to know that you’re excited about the opportunity and are willing to make any changes necessary to fit in with their team. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest but also show that you’re open-minded.

Example: “I noticed that Air New Zealand has an extremely casual culture. I’m used to wearing business attire at my current job, so I would need to adjust to dressing more casually. However, I am very flexible and understand that sometimes we have to dress up for special occasions.”

9. Have you ever had a conflict with a fellow team member? If so, what was the conflict, and how did you resolve it?

This question is designed to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to resolve conflict. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific examples of how you resolved the conflict with a fellow team member.

Example: “I once had a disagreement with a coworker over who should take on a project that was due in two days. I felt like I could complete the project within the deadline, but my coworker disagreed. We decided to have our manager decide who would do the project. My coworker and I both presented our cases to our manager, and he ultimately chose me to do the project.”

10. Tell me about the last project you worked on.

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new employer. It’s also an opportunity for you to show off your skills and knowledge. When answering this question, make sure to focus on the most important aspects of the project.

Example: “The last project I worked on was creating a marketing plan for my company. We had just launched our newest product line, so we needed to find ways to market it. I created a strategy that included social media ads, email campaigns and blog posts. The campaign ended up being very successful, which led to us selling out of all of our products.”

11. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Employers ask this question to see if you have a plan for your career. They want to know that you are motivated and ambitious. When answering, make sure you show that you are passionate about the job and how it fits into your long-term goals.

Example: “I hope to be working here at Air New Zealand in five years. I am very excited about the opportunity to work with such an innovative company. I would love to continue my career as a flight attendant and eventually become a senior flight attendant or customer service representative.”

12. What motivated you to apply to Air New Zealand?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your interest in working for their company. Use this opportunity to share what attracted you to Air New Zealand and how it fits into your career goals.

Example: “I applied to Air New Zealand because I am passionate about traveling, and I think that your airline is a great way to see the world. I also love aviation, so I was excited to learn that you are one of the top airlines in the world. I would love to be part of an organization that values customer service and safety.”

13. Describe a time where you went above and beyond for a client.

This question is a great way to show your dedication and willingness to go the extra mile for your clients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you went above and beyond for a client and how that helped them or benefited their business.

Example: “When I was working as an assistant manager at my previous job, I had a customer who called in asking if we could deliver their package earlier than expected. I told him that unfortunately, we couldn’t but would get it there by his original delivery date. He insisted that he really needed it sooner, so I looked into our system and found another driver who was available to make the delivery early. I then asked the other driver if they were willing to do the delivery, and luckily, they agreed. The customer was very happy with the service.”

14. We use a lot of different software as flight attendants. Are you comfortable learning new software quickly?

The interviewer may ask you this question to see if you are willing to learn new software and adapt quickly. Use your answer to show that you can be flexible and adapt to change.

Example: “I am very comfortable learning new software quickly. In my previous role, I had to learn a new scheduling program every six months. It was challenging at first, but after a few weeks of training, I became an expert in the software. I would even help other employees with questions they had about the software.”

15. When you are faced with two equally qualified candidates, how do you determine who gets the job?

Employers ask this question to understand how you make decisions that impact the company. When answering, it can be helpful to explain your thought process and provide an example of a time when you had to choose between two candidates.

Example: “When I am faced with hiring two equally qualified candidates, I look at their strengths and weaknesses. For instance, if one candidate has more experience but is lacking in some areas, I may hire them because they have room for growth. If both candidates are strong in all areas, I would consider who best fits the position based on their personality and work ethic.”

16. What kind of supervisor works best with you?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you interact with others. They want to know if you would be a good fit for their company culture, so they might look for answers that show you have experience working in similar environments.

Example: “I’ve had the opportunity to work under many different supervisors throughout my career, and I find that someone who is both encouraging and challenging works best for me. When I’m doing well, I like to hear praise from my supervisor, but when I make mistakes, I also appreciate constructive criticism. I think it’s important to always strive to do better.”

17. In this role, you will often need to make decisions without direction from anyone else. How do you feel about that?

This question is designed to assess your ability to make decisions on your own. It’s important for an interviewer to know that you can handle making decisions without their input, but it’s also important to show them that you’re willing to ask for help when needed.

Example: “I feel confident in my abilities to make decisions without direction from others. However, I understand that sometimes the best decision may be one that requires more information or a different perspective. In those situations, I would always seek out advice and opinions from other people before making a final decision.”

18. What is your motivation for becoming Cabin Crew?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the role. You can talk about what drew you to this career and how it has positively impacted your life.

Example: “I have always been fascinated by aviation, so when I was in high school I took a part-time job as a flight attendant at a local airport. This experience opened my eyes to the world of travel and inspired me to pursue a career in hospitality. As Cabin Crew, I get to meet new people from all over the world while providing them with excellent customer service. It’s a rewarding career that allows me to use my communication skills and problem-solving abilities.”

19. Give us an example of a time you showed integrity and professionalism in the workplace.

Air New Zealand is looking for employees who are honest and trustworthy. They want to know that you will be a valuable asset to their company, so they ask this question to make sure you can uphold the values of the organization. When answering this question, try to give an example from your previous job where you were able to show integrity and professionalism.

Example: “In my last position as a flight attendant, I was working with another employee when we both noticed one of our coworkers had forgotten to charge a customer for a bag of peanuts. We decided it would be best to tell our manager about the mistake rather than pocketing the money ourselves. Our manager appreciated our honesty and rewarded us both with a $50 gift card.”

20. What does excellent customer service mean to you?

Air New Zealand is a customer-focused company, and they want to make sure you understand the importance of providing excellent service. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of how you would provide great customer service in your current role.

Example: “Excellent customer service means making customers feel welcome and comfortable while also ensuring that their needs are met. I believe that every interaction with a customer should be positive, and I always try to go above and beyond for my passengers. For instance, when I worked at the airport, I noticed a passenger who was looking for his gate number. I offered to help him find his flight, and he ended up being grateful for my assistance.”