17 Airline Manager Interview Questions and Answers

The airline industry is a rapidly changing and highly competitive field. Airlines are always looking for talented and experienced managers to help them stay ahead of the curve. If you’re looking to make a career change into airline management, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some tough interview questions.

In this guide, we’ll provide you with a list of common airline manager interview questions and answers. You’ll learn what to expect and how to best prepare for your interview. We’ll also provide tips on how to showcase your skills and experience to potential employers.

Are you comfortable working with tight schedules and deadlines?

Airline managers often have to work with tight schedules and deadlines. This question helps the interviewer determine if you can handle this type of environment. Use examples from your experience that show how you manage time effectively.

Example: “In my previous role as an assistant manager, I had to help my manager meet a deadline for submitting our monthly reports. We were behind on some of the information we needed to include in the report, so I helped my manager create a plan to get everything done by the deadline. We worked late into the night to complete the report before it was due. In the end, we submitted the report on time.”

What are some of the most important skills an airline manager should have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and qualifications to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills that relate to the job description.

Example: “The most important skill an airline manager should have is communication. This person needs to be able to clearly explain company policies and procedures to employees and customers alike. Another important skill is problem-solving. Airline managers need to be able to solve any issues or concerns their team members may have. Finally, I think it’s important for an airline manager to have leadership skills. They need to be able to motivate their staff and inspire them to do their best work.”

How would you deal with a situation where resources were limited and you had to make a decision that affected the entire company?

This question is a great way to assess your leadership skills and how you would make decisions in challenging situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you had limited resources and made a decision that benefited the company as a whole.

Example: “In my previous role as manager at a call center, we were experiencing high call volume during peak hours. I knew that hiring more employees was not an option because our budget didn’t allow for it. Instead, I decided to implement a new training program for all employees so they could learn how to handle calls more efficiently. This allowed us to reduce the amount of time customers spent on hold by 10% while also reducing employee turnover.”

What is your experience with managing a team of employees?

This question can help the interviewer understand your leadership skills and how you’ve managed a team in the past. Use examples from previous work experience to explain what made you successful at managing employees, including any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

Example: “In my last role as an airline manager, I had five other managers reporting to me. My main goal was to make sure that all of my employees were happy with their jobs and felt supported by management. To do this, I scheduled monthly meetings where we discussed our goals for the month and ways we could improve on our performance. We also talked about how we could better support our customers.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with an unhappy customer.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you handle challenging situations and if you have the ability to diffuse a situation before it gets out of hand. In your answer, try to highlight your problem-solving skills and communication abilities.

Example: “When I worked as an assistant manager at my previous job, I had a customer who was upset because they didn’t receive their order on time. The customer called me multiple times throughout the day, which made things difficult since I was also working with other customers. I tried to remain calm and explain that there was nothing I could do until the package arrived. Eventually, the package arrived and the customer was happy.”

If we were to look at your track record, what would stand out as your greatest achievement so far?

This question is a great way to see how you can apply your skills and experience to the role. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight an achievement that relates to the job description. This shows the interviewer that you have the ability to take on challenges and succeed in them.

Example: “My greatest achievement so far was when I took over as manager of my previous team. We had just lost our lead salesperson, and I knew we needed someone who could fill their shoes. I spent time interviewing candidates and found one who seemed like they would be a good fit for the company. They were able to step into the position with ease, and we saw no drop-off in sales.”

What would you do if you noticed that some of your employees were not following company policies?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your leadership skills and how you would handle a situation like this. In your answer, try to show that you value following company policies and procedures and that you are willing to hold your employees accountable for their actions.

Example: “If I noticed that some of my employees were not following company policies or procedures, I would first meet with the employee in private to discuss the issue. If they did not change their behavior after our meeting, I would take appropriate disciplinary action, such as issuing a warning or suspending them from work. I believe it is important to hold all employees accountable for their actions so that we can maintain a safe and productive workplace.”

How well do you understand our company’s mission and values?

An airline manager needs to understand the company’s mission and values. This is because they need to ensure that their team members are following these principles. A hiring manager may ask this question to see if you have researched their company. In your answer, try to show that you know what the company stands for. You can also mention how you plan to uphold these values in your work as an airline manager.

Example: “I did some research on your company before applying for this position. I was impressed by your commitment to customer service. Your employees seem to genuinely care about making customers happy. As a result, I would like to make sure my team understands this value. I will hold regular meetings where we discuss ways to improve our customer service. I also plan to give my team plenty of opportunities to interact with customers. For example, I could arrange for us to meet with customers at the airport or train station.”

Do you have any experience with marketing or public relations?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with marketing and public relations, which are two skills that can be important for an airline manager. If you have any experience in these areas, explain how it helped you develop your skills as a leader or communicator.

Example: “I’ve worked in customer service for several years now, so I’m familiar with some of the basics of marketing and public relations. However, I haven’t had formal training in either area. In my current role, I’ve been able to use my communication skills to create effective marketing campaigns and communicate effectively with the media. This has helped me learn more about public relations and develop my skills as a communicator.”

When was the last time you took part in training to improve your skills as an airline manager?

Employers ask this question to make sure you’re committed to your career and want to improve yourself. They also want to know that you’re open to learning new things, which is a valuable skill for an airline manager. When answering this question, think of the last time you took part in training or education. You can mention any certifications you have as well.

Example: “I attended a leadership course at my university. It was a three-day seminar where I learned about different types of leaders and how to be a better leader myself. I’ve also taken several online courses on customer service and conflict resolution. I find these courses very helpful because they allow me to learn more about my job while I’m working.”

We want to improve our customer service. Give me an example of how you would implement a change that improved customer satisfaction.

An airline manager needs to be able to implement changes that improve the customer experience. This question is asking you to show how you would make a change in your current or past role.

Example: “I once worked for an airline where we had a lot of complaints about our flight attendants. We were getting many calls from customers who said they weren’t being treated well by the staff. I called a meeting with all of my employees and asked them what they thought was causing this issue. They told me it was because they didn’t have enough time to spend with each passenger.

We decided to hire more flight attendants, which allowed us to give each passenger more attention. After implementing this change, we saw a significant decrease in customer service complaints.”

Describe your experience with using computer software programs for managing schedules and other tasks.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your computer skills and how you use them in your daily work. You can answer by describing the software programs you’ve used in the past, including which ones were most helpful for managing airline schedules or other tasks.

Example: “In my previous position as an airline manager, I used a program called TimeWorks that helped me manage employee schedules, payroll and other important tasks. The program was very useful because it allowed me to create different types of schedules based on specific needs, such as creating a schedule for pilots who worked weekends and another for those who worked during the week. It also made calculating payroll much easier.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates applying for this job?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of qualities that make you unique from other candidates. Highlight skills or experiences that relate to the job description.

Example: “I have five years of experience as an airline manager at another company. In my current role, I managed a team of 20 employees who helped me create new policies for our department. My previous employer also promoted me twice in three years because of my performance. This shows that I am dedicated to my career and ready to take on more responsibilities.”

Which industries do you have experience working in?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how it relates to working in an airline. Use this opportunity to share what you’ve learned from previous jobs that can help you succeed as an airline manager.

Example: “I have experience working in both customer service and transportation industries, which I think makes me a great fit for this role. In my last position as a customer service representative, I learned valuable communication skills that helped me resolve issues with customers quickly and efficiently. My transportation industry experience has taught me how to manage large teams of employees while also ensuring they’re following company policies.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of customer service?

Customer service is an important aspect of any job, but it’s especially vital for airline managers. Your answer to this question can show the interviewer how you would handle customer complaints and other issues that arise during your shift. To prepare for this question, think about what makes a good customer experience. Consider examples from previous jobs where you provided excellent customer service.

Example: “I believe the most important part of customer service is listening to customers. When I worked as a server at a restaurant, I had a regular customer who always ordered the same thing. One day, she came in and told me she was pregnant. She asked if we could add more spice to her dish because she craved spicy food while she was pregnant. I made sure to tell my manager so he could adjust the recipe. He added extra peppers to the dish, and she loved it.”

How often do you make updates to your personal development plan?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your commitment to professional development. They want to know that you’re willing to take the initiative to improve yourself and your skills, even if they don’t offer training or resources for employees. In your answer, explain how you’ve used personal development plans in the past and what steps you took to ensure you met your goals.

Example: “I make updates to my personal development plan at least once a year. I find that it’s important to regularly reflect on my strengths and weaknesses so I can adjust my strategies accordingly. For example, last year I realized that I needed to work on my public speaking skills. So, I signed up for a public speaking course through our local community college. It helped me become more comfortable with presenting information to large groups.”

There is a new trend in the industry that you don’t agree with. How do you handle it?

This question is a great way to see how you handle change. It also shows the interviewer that you are aware of industry trends and can adapt to them. When answering this question, it’s important to show your ability to be flexible and adjust to new ideas.

Example: “I think there is too much focus on customer service in the airline industry right now. I understand that it’s important to have good customer service, but I believe we should put more emphasis on safety. If I were an airline manager, I would make sure my employees knew that safety was our top priority. I would also encourage customers to report any unsafe behavior they witnessed so we could address it immediately.”