20 American Airlines Interview Questions and Answers

As one of the largest airlines in the world, American Airlines receives thousands of job applications each year. While the company has a standard set of interview questions that they ask all candidates, they also have a set of specific questions that are designed to assess a candidate’s knowledge of and experience with the airline industry.

If you’re preparing for an interview with American Airlines, it’s important to be familiar with both the standard and company-specific interview questions that you may be asked. In this article, we’ll provide a list of some of the most common American Airlines interview questions, as well as sample answers to help you prepare for your interview.

American Airlines Interview Process

The interview process at American Airlines can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For entry-level positions, such as Flight Attendant or Customer Service Representative, the process is generally shorter and less difficult than it is for more senior positions, such as Airline Pilot or Financial Analyst.

Overall, the experience of interviewing at American Airlines is generally positive. The interviewers are professional and courteous, and they do their best to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible. However, because of the competitive nature of the airline industry, the interview process can be quite lengthy and challenging, especially for those who are not well prepared.

If you are considering applying for a job at American Airlines, be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to prepare for the interview process. It is also important to research the company thoroughly and familiarize yourself with its values and culture. With a little preparation, you can increase your chances of impressing the interviewer and landing the job you want.

1. What are your thoughts on the current state of the airline industry?

American Airlines is a major player in the airline industry, so it’s likely that your interviewer will ask you this question to see how you feel about the current state of the industry. This can be an opportunity for you to show off your critical thinking skills and explain what you would do differently if you were working at American Airlines.

Example: “I think the biggest issue facing the airline industry right now is the lack of competition. There are only four major airlines left, which means they have little incentive to lower their prices or improve customer service. I believe that we need more competition in the industry to ensure that companies like American Airlines are offering the best possible experience for their customers.”

2. What do you think is the most important thing when providing customer service to customers?

American Airlines wants to know that you understand the importance of customer service and how it can impact a company’s reputation. When answering this question, consider what is most important to you when providing customer service and relate it back to American Airlines.

Example: “I think the most important thing when providing customer service is being honest with customers. I believe that if you are upfront about any issues or concerns they may have, then they will be more likely to trust your company in the future. If there is an issue with their flight, for example, I would let them know as soon as possible so they could make alternate arrangements if needed.”

3. How would you handle a rude or disrespectful passenger?

American Airlines wants to know that you can handle difficult situations with professionalism and grace. This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have excellent customer service skills, even when faced with a challenging situation.

Example: “I would first try my best to resolve the issue by asking the passenger if there’s anything I can do for them. If they continue to be rude or disrespectful, I would calmly ask them to leave the plane. In this situation, I would call security to remove the passenger from the flight. I would then apologize to the other passengers on the flight and offer them a voucher for another American Airlines flight.”

4. While working in this job, what kind of things do you think will be the most difficult for you to get used to?

This question is a way for the interviewer to understand what you think about your new job and how it will fit into your life. It’s important that you are honest in your answer, but also show that you’re excited about this opportunity.

Example: “I’m used to working with a team of five people, so I think the biggest adjustment might be getting used to working with a larger team. However, I am looking forward to learning from everyone on my team and contributing to our success.”

5. Explain how you would respond to an emergency situation involving a sick passenger.

American Airlines is responsible for the safety of its passengers, and an interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to respond to a crisis. In your answer, demonstrate that you can use critical thinking skills to make quick decisions in emergency situations.

Example: “If I noticed a passenger was ill during my flight, I would first try to calm them down and reassure them that they were safe. If their illness became more severe, I would call for medical assistance from the cockpit. Once the medical professional arrived, I would assist them with any tasks they needed help with. For example, if they needed to move the patient to another seat or administer medication, I would do whatever I could to ensure the situation remained under control.”

6. Why do you want to work at American Airlines?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in working at American Airlines. They want to know that you are passionate about their company and understand what makes it unique. When preparing for this question, make sure to highlight aspects of the company that excite you. Consider mentioning specific values or goals that align with your own career aspirations.

Example: “I am excited to work at American Airlines because I have always been impressed by its commitment to customer service. I believe that every employee should be committed to providing an excellent experience for customers. In my last role, I worked hard to ensure that all of my customers were happy with their experiences. I would love to continue doing so as part of the American Airlines team.”

7. Tell us about a time where you had to deal with an angry customer, how did you handle it?

American Airlines wants to know how you will handle customer complaints and angry customers. This is a common question in many interviews because it helps employers understand your problem-solving skills, communication skills and conflict resolution skills.

Example: “I had an incident where I was helping a customer who wanted to change their flight but the system wouldn’t allow them to do so. The customer became frustrated with me and started yelling at me on the phone. I remained calm and explained that there was nothing I could do about the situation. Eventually, they understood and we were able to resolve the issue.”

8. We need our pilots to be comfortable with flying long distances and overnight trips. Do you think you could manage that?

American Airlines needs pilots who can handle long flights and overnight trips. These types of assignments are common for pilots, so the interviewer wants to make sure you’re comfortable with this type of schedule. If you have experience flying long distances or overnight flights, talk about your comfort level. If not, explain that you’re willing to learn how to do it.

Example: “I’ve flown across the country before, but I haven’t done an overnight flight yet. However, I’m excited to learn how to fly these kinds of routes. I think my ability to adapt will help me succeed in this role.”

9. If we were to hire you, what would be the first thing you wanted to accomplish?

This question is a great way to see what the candidate’s goals are and how they plan to achieve them. It also gives you an idea of their priorities, which can be helpful when deciding whether or not to hire someone. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to mention something that will benefit your department or company as a whole.

Example: “If I were hired for this position, my first priority would be to learn everything I could about American Airlines’ policies and procedures. This is important because it helps me do my job more efficiently and effectively. Another thing I would want to accomplish is getting to know my coworkers. I think it’s important to have good relationships with everyone in the office.”

10. Give an example of a time when you went above and beyond to help someone.

American Airlines wants to know that you’re a team player who is willing to help others succeed. This question can also give the interviewer insight into your character and personality, so it’s important to answer honestly.

Example: “When I was working as an assistant manager at my previous job, one of my employees had a family emergency and needed to leave work early. She asked if she could take her lunch break early because she needed to get home to care for her children. I told her that I would cover her shift until someone else could come in. It ended up being just me and another employee for several hours, but we were able to handle everything without any issues.”

11. Provide an example of a time where you worked in a team environment.

American Airlines is a large company that operates in many different areas. The hiring manager may ask this question to learn more about your teamwork skills and how you interact with others. To answer this question, think of a time when you worked on a team project or helped someone else complete their work. Explain what your role was and how it benefited the entire group.

Example: “In my last job as an administrative assistant, I worked closely with my supervisor to help her complete tasks throughout the day. She would delegate some projects to me, which allowed her to focus on other things. This helped us both get our work done faster and better. We also collaborated on larger projects, such as creating marketing campaigns for new products.”

12. Have you ever dealt with a fast-paced work environment before?

American Airlines is a large company that operates thousands of flights every day. The interviewer wants to make sure you can handle the fast pace and pressure of working for such a large organization. Use your answer to highlight your ability to work under pressure, prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

Example: “I have worked in a fast-paced environment before at my previous job. I was responsible for managing multiple social media accounts for a small business. While it wasn’t as big of an operation as American Airlines, there were still plenty of things to do each day. I learned how to manage my time effectively so I could get everything done on time. This helped me develop my organizational skills and learn how to prioritize my tasks.”

13. What qualities should a good flight attendant have?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have experience in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of your best qualities and how they make you an effective flight attendant.

Example: “A good flight attendant should be friendly, patient and empathetic. I think it’s important to understand what passengers are going through when they’re flying. For example, I once had a passenger who was nervous about flying. I talked with them for a while and helped them feel more comfortable. They were so grateful for my help and told me their nerves went away after our conversation.”

14. How often are you willing to travel for work?

American Airlines is a global airline, so you may be asked to travel for work. Employers ask this question to make sure that you are willing to travel and how often you would like to do it. Before your interview, think about the amount of traveling you have done in previous jobs. Consider what you enjoyed about it and what you did not enjoy. Use these answers to explain why you are interested in working for American Airlines.

Example: “I am very excited to learn that American Airlines is a global company. I love traveling and learning new things. In my last job, I was required to travel once or twice per month. While I didn’t always enjoy being away from home, I loved meeting new people and seeing new places. I feel that I can bring a lot to this position because of my willingness to travel.”

15. What experience do you have with financial analysis?

American Airlines is a large company that needs employees who can analyze financial data. Your answer should show the interviewer you have experience with this type of work and how it helped your previous employer. If you don’t have any direct experience, you can talk about what you would do if you were faced with analyzing financial data for American Airlines.

Example: “In my last position as an accountant, I was responsible for creating monthly reports on our company’s finances. These reports included information like revenue, expenses and profit margins. I also used these reports to help make decisions about where we could save money or increase revenue.”

16. What types of accounting software are you familiar with?

American Airlines uses a variety of accounting software, including SAP and Oracle. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience using these programs or other similar ones. If you do, share your knowledge of how they work. If you don’t, explain that you are willing to learn the systems.

Example: “I am familiar with both SAP and Oracle. I used SAP at my last job as an accountant for a small business. It was challenging at first but I learned it well enough to help train new employees on its use. I also worked with Oracle when I interned at a bank. While I didn’t have much responsibility there, I did get some practice using the system.”

17. Describe a time when you took initiative.

American Airlines wants to know that you’re a self-starter who can take initiative and get things done. This is an important quality for employees at American Airlines because the company has many different departments, each with its own goals and objectives. When answering this question, it’s helpful to describe a time when you took initiative on your own without being asked by a supervisor or manager.

Example: “When I was working as a server at a restaurant, my manager told me that we were out of certain menu items. He asked if anyone could make more of those dishes. I offered to do so, and he approved my request. I made extra of the dish that night and saved some in the back for the next day. My coworkers appreciated having more options available.”

18. Can you give me an example of a time when you faced conflict within a team? How did you resolve it?

American Airlines wants to know how you handle conflict and work with others. This question can help the interviewer determine your problem-solving skills, communication abilities and teamwork capabilities. Use examples from previous experiences where you faced a challenge with a team member or group project partner and how you resolved it.

Example: “In my last position as an assistant manager at a retail store, I had a coworker who was constantly late for work. It became a problem because they were missing important training sessions that could have helped them improve their performance. I talked to them about the issue and asked if there was anything we could do to resolve it. They said they were having trouble getting up in the morning, so I offered to drive them to work on days when they felt like they needed extra support.”

19. Talk about a time when you were able to successfully persuade someone to see things your way.

American Airlines wants to know that you can be persuasive in a positive way. This question is an opportunity for you to show your communication skills and how you can use them to help others understand your point of view.

Example: “In my previous role, I had to convince the marketing team to change their approach to advertising our company’s products. The current strategy wasn’t working as well as we would have liked, so I presented data from several different sources to support my argument. In the end, they agreed with me and implemented new strategies that helped increase sales by 20%.”

20. Are you prepared to take drug tests and background checks if hired by the company?

American Airlines is committed to maintaining a safe and secure workplace for its employees. As such, it requires all new hires to pass drug tests and background checks before they start working. Your answer should show the interviewer that you are prepared to meet these requirements. You can mention any past experience with drug testing or security clearance processes.

Example: “I understand American Airlines’ commitment to safety and security in the workplace. I have no problem taking drug tests and passing background checks as part of the hiring process. In fact, I am happy to provide my consent for a full background check if hired by the company.”