20 Cathay Pacific Interview Questions and Answers

When you’re interviewing for a job with Cathay Pacific, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience with customer service, your ability to handle difficult situations, and your knowledge of the airline industry. You may also be asked questions specific to Cathay Pacific, such as what you know about the company’s history, its routes, and its services. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions and answers that you can use to practice for your interview.

Cathay Pacific Interview Process

The interview process at Cathay Pacific can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least two rounds of interviews, often with a panel of interviewers. The first round of interviews is usually focused on your work experience and personality, while the second round is typically more in-depth and focuses on whether you are a good fit for the company. In some cases, you may also be required to take a language test or an aptitude test.

1. Why do you want to work at Cathay Pacific?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the company and its values. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific aspect of Cathay Pacific that you admire or something about the company’s history that interests you.

Example: “I have always admired Cathay Pacific because of its reputation as one of the best airlines in the world. I also love how Cathay Pacific has such a rich history and culture. I would love to work here because I think I could contribute to this amazing company.”

2. What qualities make a good flight attendant or pilot?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it. When answering, consider what qualities you have that make you an effective employee or leader.

Example: “A good flight attendant needs to be friendly and outgoing while also being able to remain calm in stressful situations. A pilot should be confident but humble, as well as knowledgeable about all aspects of flying. I think these are important qualities for anyone working in customer service, which is why I am so excited to work at Cathay Pacific.”

3. Tell us about your customer service experience.

Customer service is an important part of working for Cathay Pacific Airways. The airline wants to know that you have experience in this area and can provide excellent customer service to their customers. When answering this question, make sure to highlight your interpersonal skills and ability to solve problems.

Example: “I worked as a server at a restaurant while I was going to college. This job required me to be attentive to my tables and able to resolve any issues they had with their food or drinks. I also learned how to work quickly so I could serve multiple tables at once. In addition, I developed strong communication skills when interacting with different types of people.”

4. How would you handle an upset passenger?

This question can help the interviewer assess your customer service skills. Use examples from previous experiences to show how you handled a similar situation and helped resolve it.

Example: “I once had an upset passenger who was traveling with his family. He called me because he wanted to change seats, but I explained that we were at capacity for the flight. He became frustrated and started yelling at me, so I remained calm and tried to reassure him that there wasn’t anything else I could do. After several minutes of talking, he finally understood that there was nothing more I could do and apologized for raising his voice.”

5. Describe a time where you exceeded the expectations of a client.

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are dedicated to providing excellent customer service. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a specific time when you went above and beyond for a client or customer.

Example: “When I worked as a server at a restaurant, one of my regular customers was celebrating her birthday. She came in with a large group of friends, so I made sure to greet them all by name and make sure they were having a good experience. At the end of their meal, I brought out a special dessert just for her and wished her a happy birthday. She left me a very generous tip, which showed me that she appreciated the extra attention.”

6. Do you think you can handle the physical requirements of working in the air?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have the physical capabilities of working in an air-based environment. They want to make sure that you are physically fit enough for the job and can handle the demands of being a flight attendant. In your answer, explain how you plan to stay healthy while on the job.

Example: “I think I am more than capable of handling the physical requirements of working as a flight attendant. I exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet. I also take vitamins and supplements to help me feel my best. I believe these habits will help me be successful in this role.”

7. Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult team member, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether you have experience resolving it. Use examples from your past to show that you’re willing to take on challenging situations and learn from them.

Example: “In my last position, I had a team member who was constantly late for meetings and often missed important deadlines. At first, I tried to be understanding of their situation, but after several weeks, I realized they weren’t going to change their behavior. I scheduled a meeting with them where I expressed my concerns about their performance and gave them an ultimatum. They either needed to improve or find another job.”

8. When was a time that you put safety first and why?

This question is a great way to show your dedication to safety and how you can contribute to the company’s culture of safety. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific actions that you took or skills that you used in order to keep yourself and others safe.

Example: “When I was working as an air traffic controller, there was one time when we had a thunderstorm with heavy rain and lightning. The pilots were having trouble seeing through the storm, so I talked them through their landing procedures until they landed safely. This situation taught me that sometimes it’s important to put safety first even if it means delaying other tasks.”

9. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt uncomfortable but still needed to be professional?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle challenging situations and whether you have the ability to remain calm in a tense environment. In your answer, try to describe a situation where you felt uncomfortable but still managed to maintain professionalism.

Example: “I once had an issue with a customer who was upset about their flight. I tried my best to be as helpful as possible while also remaining professional. The customer became increasingly agitated, so I called for security to ensure that no one got hurt. Security arrived quickly and escorted the customer off of the premises. Afterward, I apologized to everyone else on the floor for the disruption.”

10. Are you able to relocate if asked to?

If you’re interviewing for a position with Cathay Pacific Airways, it’s likely that you’ll be asked to relocate at some point. The company has offices in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, so if you’re hired, you may have to move to one of these locations. When answering this question, make sure to emphasize your willingness to do what is best for the company.

Example: “I’m happy to relocate as needed. I understand that working for an international airline means moving around quite often. I’ve moved several times throughout my career, and I know how important it is to get settled into a new city or country quickly. I would work hard to ensure that I was ready to start my job as soon as possible.”

11. In what situations are you most comfortable sharing your opinion?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether you’re willing to speak up when necessary. Your answer should show that you are confident in your opinions, but also that you know when it’s best to keep quiet.

Example: “I’m most comfortable sharing my opinion when I have a lot of experience with a particular topic or situation. For example, if someone asked me about what type of plane they should fly on for their next vacation, I would be happy to share my thoughts on the matter because I’ve flown on many different types of planes over the years. However, if someone asked me which airline was the best, I might hesitate before answering because I don’t have enough personal experience to make an informed decision.”

12. How often do you like to travel?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your travel preferences and how often you might be willing to fly for work. If you’re applying for a position that requires frequent travel, it’s important to let the interviewer know about your experience with this type of schedule.

Example: “I love traveling, so I’m happy to do it as much as possible. In my last job, I was required to fly at least once per month, which I enjoyed because it gave me the opportunity to visit new places. However, if there were any opportunities to fly more frequently, I would definitely take them.”

13. What has been the biggest challenge you have faced during your career so far?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to take on challenges and learn from them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss a challenge you faced in the past and how you overcame it or what you learned from it.

Example: “The biggest challenge I have ever faced was when I first started working as an air traffic controller at my local airport. It was my first time working with so many different types of aircrafts and pilots, and I had no idea what I was doing. After a few weeks, though, I began to understand all of the rules and regulations and gained more confidence in my job.”

14. Can you tell me about your experience working with people from different cultures?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you might fit in with their team. It’s important to show that you’re willing to learn about Cathay Pacific and its culture, as well as adapt to it.

Example: “I’ve worked with people from different cultures throughout my career. I find that it’s helpful to be open-minded and respectful of others’ beliefs and customs. In my last position, I had a coworker who was from China. She spoke Mandarin at work, but she would sometimes speak English to me when we were alone. I learned some Chinese phrases so I could communicate with her more effectively. This helped us build a strong working relationship.”

15. Tell me about a time when you were working on a project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you worked together as a team to resolve the conflict.

Example: “When I was working on my master’s degree in business administration, there were two professors who had conflicting views about what we should learn. One professor wanted us to focus more on marketing while the other wanted us to focus more on finance. I met with both of them and explained that I would like to learn from both perspectives. They agreed to compromise and teach me about both subjects.”

16. Describe a time where you were under pressure and how you handled it.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you can handle stressful situations. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the steps you took to solve the issue and what you learned from the experience.

Example: “When I was working as an assistant manager at my previous job, we were under pressure to meet our sales goals for the month. We had already met our daily quotas but still needed to reach our monthly quota. I knew that if we didn’t make our goal, we would have to give out some employee bonuses. So, I gathered all of my employees together and explained the situation. Then, I delegated tasks to each person so they could help me get everything done.”

17. Would you say you enjoy traveling and being around other people?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn more about your personality and how you interact with others. It’s important that you answer this question honestly, but also try to show that you enjoy being around people and are willing to travel often.

Example: “I love traveling and meeting new people. I find it exciting to see different cultures and customs from all over the world. I’m always up for an adventure, so I would definitely be excited to work for Cathay Pacific Airways.”

18. What are some leadership skills that you possess?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have leadership skills and can apply them in a work environment. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what your previous managers or coworkers would say are your best qualities as a leader.

Example: “I believe my ability to motivate others is one of my strongest leadership skills. I am always looking for ways to help my team members feel supported and appreciated. In my last position, I noticed that some employees were having trouble with their computer software. I offered to give extra training on how to use the software so they could become more comfortable using it. This helped many employees learn new skills and feel confident in their job.”

19. Are you able to communicate effectively in English?

This question is a great way to determine if the candidate can communicate with their coworkers and customers in English. It’s important that employees are able to speak English fluently, so it’s best to hire someone who has experience communicating in this language.

Example: “I have been speaking English since I was young, so I am very comfortable using it as my primary language. In fact, I took an English course in college where we had to write essays and give presentations in front of our class. This helped me become more confident when speaking in public.”

20. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?

This question is a great way to learn about your potential future with the company. It’s also an opportunity for you to show that you have goals and ambitions beyond this job. When answering, it can be helpful to think of what you want to accomplish in your career and how working at Cathay Pacific Airways will help you achieve those goals.

Example: “I see myself as a senior manager at a large corporation. I would love to work my way up through the ranks at Cathay Pacific Airways because I know that this company has amazing training programs and opportunities for advancement. In five years, I hope to be managing a team of customer service representatives. In ten years, I’d like to be running my own department.”