Where would you like this career to take you?

"I am currently training as a commercial pilot, so my ideal career path will take me down that road. I am hoping that my experience as a Flight Attendant here will help me to gain perspective and be more empathetic and with my cabin crew in the future."

By asking this question, your interviewer is looking to ideally hear that you are committed to their organization and that you are in it for the long haul. While your interviewer is hoping to hire a long-term fit for their next Flight Attendant, showing that you are motivated to grow your career with their airline will convince your interviewer that you have the drive and determination needed for success with their airline.

"To be honest, I plan on being a flight attendant for as long as I'm physically able. I really love to serve people and turn a negative into a positive. I can picture myself doing this for at least the next 5-8 years, and I haven't thought beyond that. I'll just see where my customer service and hospitality skills can take me and keep an eye on internal promotions and transfers."

"To retirement!!!! I love my job as a flight attendant."

Describe a situation when you demonstrated initiative and took action without waiting for direction. What was the outcome?

"Our company launched a food bank initiative last year where teams would compete to see who could raise the most funds and donations for our local food bank in 30 days. We really didn't have anyone willing to take control of the team and track our progress, so I decided to do it myself. I am very organized and have the ability to motivate the people around me. It was very rewarding and worth the additional time. I'm happy that I did it because our team almost doubled every other teams' fund and donations."

If hired as their next Flight Attendant, your interviewer wants to know that you have the ability to grab the bull by the horns and take action without any direction from others when the situation would call for it. Talk to the interviewer about your capabilities when it comes to taking control of a situation by giving them an example of a time you did just that. Make sure the situation you describes carefully outlines the situation and your thought process in taking action immediately. Also, be sure to talk about the successful outcome of the situation.

Have you ever been on a team where someone was not pulling their own weight? How did you handle it?

"I am not the personality type to confront someone who isn't pulling their full weight. Unless, of course, I am their supervisor. In all honestly, I would probably just finish the work for them without saying anything as opposed to causing a fuss. You cannot force people to want to work but you can control how hard you work. I like to keep my focus on my own personal performance and let the rest speak for itself."

It is reality that in the workplace some people will be overachievers and others will just scrape by with the bare minimum. Share with the interviewer how you feel when others do not pull their weight in the workplace and how you handle it.

"I always try to set a good example for everyone because I think a team works best when everyone is giving it their fullest effort. If that were to happen to me, I'd try to get to know that person to understand why they're not motivated to try their best. There's usually a fair reason. If it's affecting the entire team, I'll bring to to the supervisor's attention."

Give me an example of a time that you went above and beyond the call of duty at work.

"I was raised to believe that you always deliver more that you are asked to do. I am always willing to go the extra mile for the good of my company. Last week I was asked to work a double shift because a co-worker called in sick. I did so without complaining because that's the type of employee that I am."

Every hiring manager will give favor to the candidate with a great attitude, often choosing them even if they aren't the most qualified. Assure the interviewer that you are willing to go above and beyond your regular duties in order to benefit the company.

"There was a passenger who was upset during the flight because he was flying to his mother's funeral. He couldn't stop sobbing. It was a 20 hour flight, so I invited him to stay with the crew and I in the galley whenever possible, and I also referred him to a grief counselor He was very thankful and told me that he'd never fly on another airline but mine."

How would you handle a situation in which a passenger keeps breaking basic flight rules, such as wearing their seat belt?

"In my current Flight Attendant role, I have been trained to handle uncooperative passengers in a variety of ways. If reasoning with them does not work, I will then ask them to personally suggest what a reasonable solution may be. If they are unwilling to reason with me, I will remove myself from the situation and ask another Flight Attendant to step in."

As a Flight Attendant, you will often come across passengers who simply don't care about the rules and regulations of flying. Talk to the interviewer about your strategy for dealing with these types of passengers. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you would be firm, respectful, and professional in your approach with that passenger.

"I've been trained to handle unruly passengers in a number of ways. Usually, these kinds of passengers don't respond well to people who try to exert authority onto them, so I explain to them that government regulations require passengers to be wearing their seat belts at this time, and that it was for the safety of all the passengers. I'd explain to him what would happen if he didn't have his seatbelt on during sudden turbulence. If he still refuses, then I'd emphasize the rules again and ask him what his suggestion is."

"I'd look their name up in the manifest and address them kindly and say Mr Smith I hate to be a nag but the seatbelt rule is a federal regulation and those rules we can not bend and I would hate for us to hit unexpected turbulence and then you get injured. And I have been taught in training that we are enforcers, not enforcers when writing a cabin incident report after the flight."

How do you feel about the dress code and professional standards?

"I 100% agree with the dress code in the airline industry. The uniform gives passengers the idea that we command respect and creates an air of professionalism. I would also look forward to the professional look each time I am in flight. I have also read about the personal hygiene policies of the airline and was glad to see that they match my own personal tastes as well."

Uniforms are an across the board requirement for airlines, no matter which one you work for. Discuss with the interviewer your thoughts on the dress code and professional standards in the airline industry. Keep in mind that airlines also have very strict grooming and personal appearance policies. It is good to familiarize yourself with the policies of the airline you are interviewing with prior to interview and be able to speak about your ability to follow them during your interview.

"I think a dress code is a great way to ensure that customers feel that we're an organized team, that we're consistent and professional. I also like it because that way, I don't have to think about what to wear!"

"Our appearance reflects the professionalism of the company so we should always be in compliance and well-groomed."

What do you think the flight attendant's primary responsibility is as a crew member?

"As your next Flight Attendant, I feel that my primary responsibilities are to ensure the safety and comfort of our passengers and to be a positive ambassador for the airline. If hired for this role, you would quickly find that I have a very positive spirit that connects well with others I work with, including both fellow staff and passengers."

While certainly an open ended question that you are free to take in multiple directions, it is important that you carefully read the job description prior to your interview to be able to talk about the two or three main responsibilities of a Flight Attendant. Talk to the interviewer about what you feel is most important to achieve on a day to day basis and try to focus your answer on the fact that providing excellent customer service is always the first priority in this role.

"I think that my responsibility is to ensure that all the passengers are well taken care of, and that they're safe. Ultimately, we need to make sure that their flight is pleasant and, if possible, free from hassles and discomfort."

"The safety of our passengers. Most incidents will be unexpected so we need to be prepared to assist."

If you were in an unknown city, what would you do to find a restaurant?

"Technology is an amazing thing these days! I have multiple apps on my phone that help me find new hot spots in the area. I will sometimes go out with my crew or take to Facebook to see which friends of mine may be in the area. Every trip is different for me and that's half the fun of it."

Working as a Flight Attendant will often find you far away from home in unfamiliar surroundings, and your interviewer is looking to hear that you are able to handle these lonely situations by asking a question like this. Assure the interviewer that you are ready and able to handle this type of situation by being resourceful when you are in these unfamiliar settings.

"If I know ahead of time where I'm going, I always do my research ahead of time and check out online recommendations. If not, I'm perfectly happy to wander around town and pop into whatever looks good."

"Ask hotel clerks, shuttle drivers, or even strike up a conversation with a PAX on the flight. Personal recommendations are always better than google."

"I have a part-time job where I have to go to a medical center. From one place I have to go to another different place. They can be 1 hour away from each other. I have found those places on my own using my phone. I'm very familiar with any type of technology."

At your current job, what are you most proud of?

"In my current job I am most proud of the environment that I have created with my team since taking over as crew lead. We have fun and get the job done at the same time. Productivity has increased and turnover has declined steadily."

Happy and motivated employees usually have something that they take pride in, and your interviewer is looking to get a sense that you take pride in what you do, no matter what you do. This will reflect well on your ability to take great pride in your work as a Flight Attendant with their airline. Prior to your interview, put some serious thought into what really satisfies you in your work and how that can project into taking on this job.

"I'm most proud of how well I take care of my customers in my current role. A lot of them find me memorable. It's always a pleasant surprise when a customer says hi to me and tells me that they remember me from their time working with me. It tells me that I'm consistently doing a great job."

"Being able to make my passengers feel comfortable on their journey. I look at it as if I was a host in my home hosting a get-together."

Are you okay with being on a long layover?

"I fully understand that long layovers are part of the job. I am accustomed to this happening and don't mind keeping myself busy in another city. I simply view this as an opportunity rather than a set-back. The way technology has changed, I can be almost face to face with my spouse and my kids at the snap of a finger through my phone and that has made this job so much easier."

Working as a Flight Attendant, it is inevitable that long layovers will happen from time to time, and you will find yourself far away from home and from family. Assure the interviewer that you are capable of handling these layovers by talking about your ability to do what you feel is personally best for you when away from home and family. There is no right or wrong answer for this question; your interviewer will simply be looking to hear that you are able to handle layovers by taking the time to do what is right for you.

"I'm okay with whatever happens on the job. I see everything as an opportunity to do something fun or interesting. If there's a long layover, all that means is that I get more time to do just a little more exploration. Or if I'm tired, I get to relax a little bit more. I always make the best of whatever situation I'm in."

"Those are my favorite. It gives me a chance to explore a new city with new-made friends (my crew)."

Describe a situation when you were able to have a positive influence on the actions of others.

"Last year at work, we had a situation where our executives allowed all of us to make a pitch in regards to where the company's philanthropic efforts should go. I created a really great presentation that impacted the executives enough for them to choose my charity of choice. It was an amazing feeling to know that my passion and research could amount to something so life changing."

Flight Attendants are often relied upon to be the beacon of hope and positivity to both the passengers and crew of a flight. With this question, your interviewer will be looking to gauge your ability to do just this by having you talk about a time when you had a positive influence on others. Prior to your interview, think of a situation that clearly demonstrates how your influence on others helped lead to a very positive outcome.

"There was a time when one of my fellow flight attendants snapped at a passenger. This was during the first half hour of the flight, and it he had just started work, so I knew he wasn't just tired. The first chance I got, I invited him to have a coffee with me at the galley. I treated it like a friendly chat and asked him what's going on with him, anything interesting, things to just get the conversation to open up. Soon, I found out that he was having personal problems, so I just became a good listener for him.I steered the conversation back towards work and talked about positive things to get my coworker back into a good mood. Then I mentioned that there was a passenger who seemed to be upset about something. I suggested that my coworker see if there's anything the passenger needed. That way, the passenger would have contact with my coworker again, and this time it'd be a positive interaction. As you can see, I'm very good at influencing people in a positive way."

Tell me about yourself.

"Following high school, I started my career in customer service and really loved the growth track I took from an entry level position to a department supervisor by the time I was 24 years old. Getting to know one of your current Flight Attendants well through our kids' activities, she highly recommended that I apply. I've learned a lot from her about all the ins and outs of this job and it sounds like something I would love and be successful in. In my free time, I am very active outdoors with my family, and the kids keep me plenty busy with sports and other activities."

We recommend primarily sticking with the professional basics and adding in a few fun facts along the way to show the interviewer that you are a real person too. Start off by telling the interviewer about your highest level of education. Give a very high-level overview of your past position, stating your job title and what your standard job duties involved. Next, share 2-3 fun facts about yourself focusing on special non-work related skills or hobbies. For example, you might share that you enjoy beatboxing or making origami swans. Be prepared for the interviewer to stop you and ask you to perform your skill on the spot when it's possible! Finally, share with the interviewer why you are seeking a new position focusing on positives such as wanting to further your career or having an opportunity to work for this exciting company.

"First of all, I genuinely love to serve people. When I was young, I'd always be making family meals. My whole family never had to worry if they had to stay at home with sickness or an injury because they knew that I'd be so good at taking care of them! To me, I see all the people I serve as one big family. We're all living on this earth together, and we're all just trying to get through the flight to move on to our next destination. So why not make the most of it? Have fun. Sometimes, I do a little magic for the kids, if they look bored and can't sit still."

"Well, I am social by nature and a people pleaser. I like being put in an atmosphere where I have the ability to find the right kind of flow to make any experience pleasant. I'm also very organized and responsible. Tending to my responsibilities is very important to me."

How do you believe your coworkers would describe you?

"My coworkers have always told me that I am a reliable team player and they appreciate my ability to be called upon when needed to help out in any situation. I believe that a team effort is the key to success in any organization. If you were to talk to any of my former supervisors, they would tell you that I show up to work every day with a smile on my face and a positive attitude in tow, and I know this aspect of my personality would suit me well as a Flight Attendant."

This question gives you the opportunity to sell yourself for this position based on feedback that you've received from colleagues in the past. We recommend selecting three words that truly define who you are; the words should have no possibility of being taken negatively. Encouraging is a great option. Caring is also a good choice. Respected might be an appropriate choice and hard-working is a commonly used choice. Punctual is great for those who are always a little early. Customer service focused is an excellent selection. Just be yourself, and remember to keep it positive and related to this job as a Flight Attendant.

"Most everyone says that I'm really kind and friendly, and my supervisors have always said that I'm dependable."

"Easy to work with and a hard worker."

Are you applying for any other jobs?

"I am keeping an eye out for viable positions. Although I am not in final stages with any other company, I am actively seeking a new position."

It always puts a little bit of fire under the hiring manager if they are aware that you are actively looking for a new position. Tell the interviewer about your search so far.

"Yes, I've applied to other airlines. I'm waiting on a reply from one airline, and I have a few more interviews lined up as well. To be honest, I much prefer this airline because of the work culture that I've heard so much about."

What is your availability?

"Coming into this role early in my career, I fully expect to be scheduled for flights to destinations all over the country and to be working on the holiday weekends as well. I am fortunate to be young in my career with no hard commitments, and I'm willing to work as hard as possible to prove myself in this role."

Before you offer up your evenings and weekends, be sure that you are clear on what they need from you for this position by carefully reading the posting details and job description for the position. Typically, the hours are laid out in the job description. If it only says part-time or full-time and you are asked about the hours you're available to work, it is okay to ask questions regarding the expected hours for clarification. Once they have laid out the expectations, you can tell them that the expectations meet your availability. You want to show them you're excited about the job, and you are willing to make yourself available to work when they need you.

"I read in the job description that this is a full-time job and that extended travel may be required, so I'm fully prepared for that. What do the scheduling needs look like right now?"

"As soon as I can give my current employer acceptable notice."

Do you prefer doing work on a routine day-to-day basis or do you prefer mixing up your routine occasionally?

"I prefer working in a more predictable environment because I can be more effective in my tasks. This would prove to be very beneficial with the passengers that I would be serving on a daily basis. With that said, I can certainly work in an unpredictable environment from time to time. I learned quickly early in my career that being flexible in my work was necessary, as I imagine it is to be successful as a Flight Attendant with your airline."

While not necessarily a trick question being thrown your way during your interview, you definitely need to strike a balance in your answer here as the role of a Flight Attendant requires some routine work and the ability to be flexible in what you may be called upon to do during your work day. As you answer and prove your ability to work a routine while being flexible, don't hesitate to point out a role you've had in the past where you had to do just this.

"I don't mind doing routine work on a daily basis because I get more efficient the more I do a specific task. With that said, I do like to also vary my working environment and schedule from time to time so that I don't get burnt out."

"I like to be flexible since life seems to work out that way!"

Think about a difficult boss, professor, or other person you've worked with. What made them difficult? How did you successfully interact with this person?

"In my current job, I work with a person who brings a negative attitude to work every day. While he is very productive, his attitude towards me and others we work with can make things difficult on some days. I have learned to not take things personally with his attitude and try to kill him with kindness. Now that we've worked together for a few years, we can actually have some laughs with him when his attitude is even further out of line, and he tends to tone it back after that."

You want to show the interviewer that you work well with every personality, even though you recognize there are some folks out there who are quite difficult to please. This can be a challenging question to answer, but it can be done graciously. Think about the person who is seen as hard to please or the person who people are intimidated by. Tell the interviewer what made this person challenging, as well as their relationship to you. Be sure to mention a few positive things about the person as well, while still making your point. Next, share how you feel your responsibility is to work well with your team and help out however you can, so you chose to adapt to work with this challenging person. Finally, be sure to laugh a little about the situation along the way. It will definitely lighten the mood and show the interviewer you understand some people can be challenging.

"I had a boss who was very difficult to deal with. She would change her mind about what direction we should be heading in every three or four weeks, which made it difficult to get any work done. Every time we'd be about to finish a project, she would decide that we need to try something different. So I spoke with the team and asked for everyone's ideas about how we could improve the situation. We decided that we'd do the best that we could and document our successes. Then, when she would approach us to tell us to do something different, we'd all agree to do so. Then, we'd also bring to her attention that we were having success with certain tasks and approaches and show her the evidence. We'd then ask her if she'd like to take that into consideration and asked her for permission to have a meeting about it at the end of the week. After we did all of that, she started being less unpredictable and involved us in her planning process a little bit more."

"Some are not communicative. So I just make sure to always have a pleasant demeanor and ask all the questions I need to do my job competently since information is not offered. Also when they have a bad attitude, I just don't allow it to affect mine and keep in mind I am in control of my approach and position."

Why are you the best candidate for us?

"I think the one quality that is going to make me stand apart from other candidates you are interviewing for this position is my reliability. I am very proud of my attendance record at work, having only called in sick one day during my career when I came down with the stomach flu a couple of years ago. If hired for this role, you will quickly find out that I am an employee who is committed to my work and my team, each and every day."

This question gives you an opportunity to show off your skills, qualities, and accomplishments that make you a unique candidate for this position. Consider answering this question by demonstrating how you have proven yourself in your past roles. You may not know what the other candidates have to offer, but you do know your strengths and the unique ways you can add value to the organization. For example, if you share that you are reliable, offer a scenario that proves you follow through and show up. Consider talking about a difficult project you completed, overcoming obstacles and a tight deadline. Keep your strengths and examples relevant to what you may be expected to accomplish in this new role. Remember, you have so much to offer, so do your best to give one last sell on your self to your interviewer.

"I'm sure that there are plenty of other candidates who have a lot of similarly good qualities. But I don't think you'll find another candidate who is as a genuinely good fit for being a flight attendant as I am. I consistently and effortlessly give excellent customer service because that's the way I was brought up: to serve people and consider their needs well before I consider my own. I don't get burned out very easily because this is so natural to me. Aside from that, I fit in with a wide variety of personalities, so I can adapt to any crew and become a positive influence on everyone. I think that these are the qualities that make me not just dependable, but also a great asset to the company."

"I have experience, specifically on this particular aircraft, and absolutely love and enjoy my job."

Would you consider yourself a creative person?

"I do consider myself to be a creative individual. One example of this would be the telephone sales scripts that I crafted for our inside sales team. They were lively and effective, and sales increased by 23% in the first 90 days of implementation."

Talk to the interviewer about any interest you have in creativity and how you have implemented that desire in the workplace.

"I think that everyone's creative to some degree. It really just depends on what kind of environment or context someone can be creative in. Someone people are inventors, some people are artists or poets. Me, I'm very creative when it comes to solving problems for customers. I look at the constraints I'm given and find solutions within those constraints. For instance, a customer might really want to smoke. Now, we can't let him smoke on the plane. So I have to figure out what's making him get that urge. Maybe there's something we can for him to take his mind off of smoking, like giving him something to munch on or suggesting an exciting movie to distract him."

"Absolutely! I thrive when I am able to create something with my hands and hard work. My hobby is refinishing furniture. I love taking something old and bringing new life to it."

Have you ever had a stranger yell at you before? How did you handle the situation?

"I have had a passenger yell at me before. I did not acknowledge the insults he threw my way and remained calm to keep my voice and tone even. I told him that he would be removed from the flight if it happened again. It was enough to calm him down until the plane landed. I do not enjoy situations like this because it makes the other passengers uncomfortable. It's not about my feelings but about the experience others have."

At times, the work of a flight attendant requires a very thick skin to be able to deal with passengers that are stressed and even downright angry. Your interviewer will be looking to hear that you de-escalate these situations with ease by not taking things personally and by taking a direct approach with the rude passenger. Assure the interviewer that you could handle a situation like this in a professional way.

"Of course I have. The first thing I do is remind myself that this isn't personal, and then I start looking at the situation through the customer's eyes and focus on them. I make it a mission to find out what's bothering them and how I can quickly find the solution to the problem. The customer wants me to be pleasant enough, but I know from experience that they don't want someone to coddle them and tell them that everything is okay. They want someone who's just friendly and positive enough, for someone to acknowledge their frustration and take ownership of the problem that's causing that frustration. Then they want a speedy resolution. I had a situation where an economy-class customer was yelling at me and telling me that I'm incompetent, he insulted my education and intelligence. I didn't let it get to me. I just focused on the fact that he had a problem and that I was the one to solve it. He needed to use the bathroom badly and the ones in that section were all occupied. So I led him to the business class lavatory and offered him a bottle of water when he came out. I also told him to take a couple of minutes to stretch out near the galley, and to let me know the moment he is feeling any discomfort. As we were deboarding, he thanked me and asked me for my name so that he could write about me on the comment card."

"Oh yes! We were on delay and He had a tight connection and wanted me to move him to the front in first class so he could get off first. I told him I can't move passengers from the main cabin to first class. The passengers in first-class paid premium fares to sit there and that would not be fair to them but that I would make an announcement when we landed asking everyone to remain seated and allow our passenger in the back of the cabin to make his way to the front so he could make his tight connection."

Do you get motion sickness?

"I have flown on both large and small passenger planes and have never experienced any adverse effects like motion sickness."

Having motion sickness while in flight certainly wouldn't be good if flying was an essential part of your daily work life. Prior to even applying for this position, hopefully you considered your experiences flying and can handle the physical aspects of the job. With this question, your interviewer is simply looking to hear that you have experience flying and that you aren't prone to motion sickness that some people get when flying.

"No, not at all. I've flown on all kinds of aircraft for both short and long-haul flights and I'm perfectly comfortable."

Do you enjoy traveling? Tell me about your favorite destination and one destination that is on your bucket list.

"I absolutely love to travel. My family traveled a lot when I was growing up and it seems that I caught the travel bug too. My favorite destination so far has been Barbados, and Spain is on my bucket list of places I would love to go."

Being away from home so often can be tough, so be sure to express your interest in travel and new experiences. As a flight attendant, you will have the opportunity to fly to many different locations. The interviewer wants to be assured that you would enjoy this aspect of the job, so be open and honest about your favorite destination and your bucket list destination.

"Travel is the main reason I chose to pursue a career as a flight attendant. I love flying out to Southeast Asia. The layover in Hong Kong to Thailand is one of my favorites because of the food. Now, I've never been to Scotland, and I'd love to go there to see the landscape there."

"I absolutely love it. So far my favorite is Australia. My next trip will be to Greece!"

How tolerable are you of people?

"I have worked in customer service related positions for many years and think I have just about seen it all. I have developed a thick skin and am able to tolerate even the rudest of people. That thick skin would prove to be essential in a flight attendant role, as I know that travelers are often experiencing the highest of highs or the lowest of lows."

As a flight attendant you will often be in tight quarters with people who are rude, panicky, loud, and belligerent. Assure the interviewer that you are able to be tolerant of all types of people, no matter the situation that you are in. If you have direct experience in customer service and working with rude or belligerent people, be sure to talk about how you handled that experience with ease.

"I'm naturally a very tolerant person to begin with. Over the course of my career, I've learned to tolerate other people's negativity even when I might be tired or emotionally drained. I recognize when I might be in that kind of state and I use some stress management techniques to make sure that my positive attitude and friendly demeanor doesn't waver."

"Very! I've raised 3 girls (tweens being the biggest challenge) and my sister and I took care of our ailing parents."

Why do you think passengers take their frustration out on the cabin crew, even though the crew is trying to help them?

"People can get very cranky on flights because of the tight space and being in close quarters with strangers. They get frustrated when they're uncomfortable and can't improve their situation on their own. So, naturally, they look to us for solutions. Unfortunately, they typically reach out to us when they're already in a very poor mood. When this happens, it's very natural to not think rationally or clearly, and we become the most convenient outlet for their frustration and anger. It's understandable, and I don't let it get to me; I don't take it personally. I like to take care of people, especially when they're frustrated."

It is very common for an upset passenger to take their frustration out on the cabin crew. As you answer this question, talk about the fact that the cabin crew is the face of the airline while passengers are cramped into a small cabin for hours on end, and it is only natural for some customers to become irritated and frustrated. In addition, talk about your ability to handle customers who act this way, if you were hired for this role.

"People can get very cranky on flights because of the tight space and being in close quarters with strangers. They get frustrated when they're uncomfortable and can't improve their situation on their own. So, naturally, they look to us for solutions. Unfortunately, they typically reach out to us when they're already in a very negative mood. When this happens, it's very natural to not think rationally or clearly, and we become the most convenient outlet for their frustration and anger. It's understandable, and I don't let it get to me, I don't take it personally. I like to take care of people, especially when they're frustrated."

"It's only natural that customers would look toward the cabin crew as responsible for any mistake cause after all the cabin crew stands as the only representatives of the airline at that time and moment."

"Because they are the present representation of the airlines in that particular moment. They are the airline when on the aircraft."

What would you do if you saw one of your colleagues deliberately being rude to a passenger?

"My reaction would be different depending on if the colleague was one of my direct reports or not. If the individual reported to me, I would speak with them about the situation in private and request that an apology be granted. If possible, I would upgrade the passenger on their flight seating as well. If the colleague was an equal, I would likely leave it be and just take special care and attention on the flight to make the passenger feel comfortable and welcome. If the situation became a common occurrence, I would bring it up with management."

Strong customer service is crucial to the success of an airline. At times, cabin crew can become stressed and out of focus and this can lead to some bad interactions with passengers. Your interviewer will be looking to hear that you have the ability to diagnose potential customer service issues your colleagues may be having and address those issues promptly. Discuss with the interviewer how you would deal with this type of situation in an effective and personable manner. If you have experienced this before, use a real-life example.

"I'd approach him in the galley and chat him up, see if there's anything that's bothering him that might affecting his attitude. Maybe he had a fight with a friend or family member and he didn't leave his personal baggage when he came in to work. If that's the case, then I'll try to let him vent a little bit with me, and then encourage him to focus on something positive. Then I'd suggest to him that the passenger he was rude to looks a little upset at something and that he should check in with him. That way the passenger gets a taste of my colleague's more positive attitude."

"I would ask my co-worker if everything was ok with them and if there was anything I could do. Then offer to take over the situation with the passenger. I would do my best to ease the tension with that passenger and give them the best customer service."

"If I see that situation I would say to my colleagues. I will handle this situation, it's okay to take a break and then talk to the passenger; first, apologize for my colleague's attitude and give the passenger any reward that we allow to give them when that type of situation happens."

How would you handle a situation where one passenger complained about the passenger next to him for snoring too loudly?

"If a passenger was snoring loudly enough to disturb the person sitting next to them, I would offer a new seat to the individual who was being disturbed. It would not be polite to wake the snoring individual. If a new seat was not available, I would offer them a complimentary beverage, movie, and some headphones."

Working as a Flight Attendant, you'll need to be prepared for any situation when it comes to working with passengers. Awkward, and sometimes humorous, situations will come up during your shift and you need to be able to handle them with ease. This situation can be common on long flights and your interviewer will be looking to hear that you'll be able to mediate this situation with ease to find the best solution possible for all involved. Assure the interviewer that you can handle these types of situations with ease.

"I'd find out what's the root of the problem is. Is the loud snoring interrupting his concentration? Is he trying to get work done, or is he trying to enjoy the movie? Whatever the case may be, I'll go ahead and give him some earplugs and a complimentary beverage and snack to apologize for the inconvenience. If that's not enough, I can also see if I can put him in a different seat."

"Hopefully, there would be an open seat I could move them to, and if not offer them some earplugs or some great recommendations to some good music they could listen to on their cell phone or mobile device."

Why do you want to work for this airline?

"I have a particular interest in your airline because of your strong reputation in the industry and the dedication you have to positive customer experiences. I have flown your airline as a first choice for the past 5 years and have not been disappointed in the quality service delivered. I'd love to be a part of that."

With many airlines to choose from, your interviewer will be looking to hear why you have a passion and commitment to their airline. This is where it is very helpful to have conducted some research on the company prior to your interview. To really sell your interviewer on your passion and commitment to this job, try to match your own personal goals and values with that of the airline.

"I've heard a lot of good things about this airline. I really like the way the company treats its employees. For example, I think it's great how the company will stand up for employees if a customer gets way out of line because sometimes customers will take advantage of a company's generosity, which really just encourages bad behavior from all the customers. It also shows me that the company is great at diplomatically handling confrontational situations, which is a skill that I'm really interested in building. And on top of that, this airline travels to all the places that I want to go, as well as others that I haven't been to yet."

"I flew this airline for many years before flying your aircraft as a flight attendant and have come to appreciate how much your values and mine are aligned. It is an airline that I am proud to say I represent."

"American Airlines is my dream airline, they are the biggest and the best, and I've always believed in shooting for the stars. I also love their cultural diversity and treating others with respect, but what is near and dear to my heart is their dedication to the American Airlines cadet program that encourages young girls and boys in the scouts to pursue pilot careers. Overall I love that AA is on the cutting edge of technology because great is what I'm going for!"

Tell me what you know about our airline.

"I have conducted a great deal of research on your airline and am very impressed with the strong industry reputation you hold. This company grew, in just 20 years, from 7 aircraft to a large fleet covering over 100 destinations worldwide. This airline is growing at a rapid pace, and I'd be very excited to join the team."

Ideally, your interviewer is looking to hear that you have done your homework on their airline prior to your interview, and hopefully even prior to applying, to prove that you have commitment to the job. Display to the interviewer that you have invested time into researching their airline by talking about some interesting facts you have found about them. Show you are engaged in the process and interested in their particular organization, and your interviewer will know that you are serious about this job.

"I know that this airline primarily flies short domestic flights, which I'm completely comfortable with. I also know that this airline appeals to the cost-conscious consumer who doesn't want all the frills, so I know that they're going to be focused on efficient service."

When did you realize you wanted to become a flight attendant?

"I have wanted to be a flight attendant since I was a teenager. My best friend had an older sister who was a flight attendant and her life seemed so glamorous. Now, I realize that it isn't all the glamour I once thought, but to have the ability to travel the world while I work would be incredible. I am so excited about the potential and the opportunity."

While possessing the right skills and abilities is important for a role as a flight attendant, your interviewer will also be looking to hear that you have a distinct passion for the job, and they're looking to feel your passion for this work in your response. As you prepare for your interview, think of how you can express your passion for this work by talking about how your dream of becoming a flight attendant came to be and what you would be most excited about, if hired.

"I realized that I wanted to become a flight attendant when I realized that I love taking good care of people and that I love traveling. At first I thought I'd work for a hotel because I figured that there would be travelers from all over the world and that it'd be great to meet all kinds of people. But then I decided that I wanted to travel myself. Considering all the things that I love to do and do naturally, being a flight attendant was the clearest fit for me."

"When I was about 21, but life got in the way so now with my newfound freedom I thought no better time than the present to jump in and see if I am cut out for this life."

What type of emergency training have you completed?

"I currently do not have CPR certification, but I do understand this is a requirement of the job and would be ready for the training for that certification immediately upon hire. I do have a current first aid certification through the American Red Cross, as it was required for my current job."

Going into your interview, it is important to know that most airlines require their Flight Attendants to have CPR and first aid certification. With this question, your interviewer will be looking to hear if you do have any formal training in CPR and first aid. If you do, talk about your certifications. If you don't, no need to fret, as that doesn't disqualify you from the position as the airline sends new staff for formal training frequently. If this is the case, reiterate to your interviewer that you are willing and able to be trained in this aspect of the job.

"I'm certified for First Aid and CPR, and I'm available to take any additional training that's needed if hired for this position."

"CPR, use of the AED and POB's, putting out fires with the 1211 halon fire extinguishers with the PBE, how to recognize heart attacks or strokes, basic first aid, emergency response procedures such as evacuations (land and water), using the ELT, understanding panic and various other types of emergencies."

What are your compensation expectations?

"I did see the salary range posted for the position when I applied, and it meets what I am seeking financially. More important to me is a strong organization with values that I can align with, and I know I'll find those here at your airline."

While your interviewer is looking to make sure they can afford you, if offered the position; it is almost always best that you let your interviewer know that you've done your research and that compensation isn't the only reason you are considering a role with them as a Flight Attendant. Answering this question can be tricky, and the wrong answer may disqualify you for the position, so be sure to keep your answer pretty generic and in line with what expectations are for the role.

"I'm a realistic person, there's no reason I should ask for something silly like $100,000. Right now, Delta Airlines values me at an annual salary around $45,000 and I earned a salary increase of 15% within my first year. I'm confident that, if I'll have the privilege of receiving an offer from British Airways, it'll be commensurate with the value that I bring to the company."

"A fair wage, retirement and medical benefits, vacation and sick pay, and flight benefits."

Do you have a current passport?

"My passport recently expired, but I can renew it immediately. If required, I can pay the additional fee for a rush order on a passport."

If the airline you are interviewing with flies internationally, you would be required to have a passport and meet certain visa requirements to be able to land in another country. First and foremost, a current passport would be required for the role if the airline does fly commercially, so be sure that you are able to speak to your current passport if it will be required for the position. If you don't currently hold a passport, ensure your interviewer that you are willing and ready to take the steps needed to obtain one.

"Yes, I certainly do. It's going to expire in two years, so there's no need to worry about that for a while."

How would you rate your people skills?

"I would rate my people skills a 9/10. In my previous role, my supervisor often commented positively on my ability to relate to our customers well and provide excellent customer service. I was taught from a young age to treat every person with respect and dignity, and these are values that I still carry with me to this day."

The most successful Flight Attendants are often those who have great interpersonal skills and the ability to please passengers from all different backgrounds. Your interviewer will be looking to gauge your people skills during your interview process by asking questions that get at your ability to get along with and serve others. This question is very direct and open ended, so do your best to really sell your interviewer on the great people skills you possess that would lead to success in this role.

"Judging from my supervisors, my colleagues, and the number of passengers who smile happily at me when they're deboarding, I'm confident that I have wonderful people skills. I'd rate myself a 9 out of 10, because of that. I give myself one point of room to improve, because we can always strive to be better."

"That is one of my best qualities. I am a people pleaser and empathetic. I am a problem solver so looking for solutions to problems is a challenge I like to take on."

If you were asked to take a flight across country and back unexpectedly, how would you handle this?

"I am more than happy to do what it takes for the good of my company and team. My previous supervisor commented often on my willingness to take long shifts whenever required. I am very fortunate to have a flexible family life at home and the ability to work when called upon. I would accept the opportunity and maintain a positive attitude."

The life of a Flight Attendant can involve the need to be very flexible in your work hours and flights that you are scheduled to work. With this question, your interviewer is looking to delve into how flexible you can be, if hired for the position. As you answer, be sure to be open and honest about your personal life and your availability to be scheduled on short notice. Discuss with the interviewer how you would react in a situation like this.

"I understand that this job may have unexpected flights. I don't have any problem with it. I have a friend who can take care of my home while I'm gone, and my father can take care of any bills. They've been helping me with that kind of thing for a while, so they know what to expect. I'm happy to take on any assignments that come up unexpectedly."

If a passenger got violently ill during a flight, how would you handle this situation?

"Last week, I had a very ill passenger who was vomiting profusely. We had a doctor on board whom I asked for assistance so that we could determine whether it was an emergency or simply a virus or food poisoning. I offered the patient a new seat in an aisle closest to the washroom while moving the other passengers to another seat. I was able to get the passenger comfortable with a warm blanket, ginger-ale and a cold pack."

Being prepared for any situation on a flight is a key aspect of being a great Flight Attendant. Your interviewer will be looking to hear how you stay calm, cool, and collected during a situation like this, while also being resourceful in how you handle the situation. If you have experience handling a situation like this, be sure to describe that experience while demonstrating the specific steps you took to make the situation as successful as possible.

"I would tend to the passenger, ask if there was a medical professional on board and if not I would assess the situation with my other crew members and refer to my training and my flight attendant manual."

If you had a passenger who couldn't keep calm due to anxiety of a plane crash, how would you calm them down?

"A person who is in a state of panic can generally be calmed down through conversation and distraction. If I had a passenger experiencing an anxiety attack, I would insist that they focus on a conversation with me. Other techniques could include having them close their eyes, take deep breaths, and count to 100 and backwards again."

Taking care of passengers with severe anxiety may be a regular occurrence and you should be prepared to expertly manage a situation like this. Try to highlight your ability to soothe the passenger with a calm tone and the educational pieces you would share with the passenger.

"In my experience, people who are panicking from fear can be eased when I get eye-to-eye with them and I make physical contact with them to ground them in the moment before I start talking to them. For example, I might put my hands on their upper arms and squeeze gently to make solid eye contact with them. I'd verbally de-escalate the situation. If that doesn't work, I'll have them try some anxiety relief techniques, such as deep breathing."

"Take control, offer direction to the passenger. That is usually what they are looking for. Some kind of direction to follow because they are too scared to think calmly."

How long do you see yourself as a flight attendant?

"I see myself working as a Flight Attendant for the very long term. Travel is a passion of mine, and working for an airline would make that passion become a reality."

The job of a Flight Attendant is traditionally a very high turnover position. Your interviewer is fully aware of the high amount of investment their airline puts into the training and development of their staff. To try and gauge your long term commitment to their company, your interviewer is posing this question. A hiring manager will not want to hire you if they think you will not stay in the position for very long. Assure the interviewer that hiring and training you would be worth the investment of time.

"I want to be a flight attendant for as long as I can. There's nothing more exciting to me than traveling and taking care of people. I've been building my lifestyle around this kind of work ever since I made that decision to be a flight attendant. I'm committed to it, and happily so."

Flight Attendant Interview Questions

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1. Where would you like this career to take you?
2. Describe a situation when you demonstrated initiative and took action without waiting for direction. What was the outcome?
3. Have you ever been on a team where someone was not pulling their own weight? How did you handle it?
4. Give me an example of a time that you went above and beyond the call of duty at work.
5. How would you handle a situation in which a passenger keeps breaking basic flight rules, such as wearing their seat belt?
6. How do you feel about the dress code and professional standards?
7. What do you think the flight attendant's primary responsibility is as a crew member?
8. If you were in an unknown city, what would you do to find a restaurant?
9. At your current job, what are you most proud of?
10. Are you okay with being on a long layover?
11. Describe a situation when you were able to have a positive influence on the actions of others.
12. Tell me about yourself.
13. How do you believe your coworkers would describe you?
14. Are you applying for any other jobs?
15. What is your availability?
16. Do you prefer doing work on a routine day-to-day basis or do you prefer mixing up your routine occasionally?
17. Think about a difficult boss, professor, or other person you've worked with. What made them difficult? How did you successfully interact with this person?
18. Why are you the best candidate for us?
19. Would you consider yourself a creative person?
20. Have you ever had a stranger yell at you before? How did you handle the situation?
21. Do you get motion sickness?
22. Do you enjoy traveling? Tell me about your favorite destination and one destination that is on your bucket list.
23. How tolerable are you of people?
24. Why do you think passengers take their frustration out on the cabin crew, even though the crew is trying to help them?
25. What would you do if you saw one of your colleagues deliberately being rude to a passenger?
26. How would you handle a situation where one passenger complained about the passenger next to him for snoring too loudly?
27. Why do you want to work for this airline?
28. Tell me what you know about our airline.
29. When did you realize you wanted to become a flight attendant?
30. What type of emergency training have you completed?
31. What are your compensation expectations?
32. Do you have a current passport?
33. How would you rate your people skills?
34. If you were asked to take a flight across country and back unexpectedly, how would you handle this?
35. If a passenger got violently ill during a flight, how would you handle this situation?
36. If you had a passenger who couldn't keep calm due to anxiety of a plane crash, how would you calm them down?
37. How long do you see yourself as a flight attendant?

Flight Attendant Interview Questions

1. Where would you like this career to take you?

2. Describe a situation when you demonstrated initiative and took action without waiting for direction. What was the outcome?

3. Have you ever been on a team where someone was not pulling their own weight? How did you handle it?

4. Give me an example of a time that you went above and beyond the call of duty at work.

5. How would you handle a situation in which a passenger keeps breaking basic flight rules, such as wearing their seat belt?

6. How do you feel about the dress code and professional standards?

7. What do you think the flight attendant's primary responsibility is as a crew member?

8. If you were in an unknown city, what would you do to find a restaurant?

9. At your current job, what are you most proud of?

10. Are you okay with being on a long layover?

11. Describe a situation when you were able to have a positive influence on the actions of others.

12. Tell me about yourself.

13. How do you believe your coworkers would describe you?

14. Are you applying for any other jobs?

15. What is your availability?

16. Do you prefer doing work on a routine day-to-day basis or do you prefer mixing up your routine occasionally?

17. Think about a difficult boss, professor, or other person you've worked with. What made them difficult? How did you successfully interact with this person?

18. Why are you the best candidate for us?

19. Would you consider yourself a creative person?

20. Have you ever had a stranger yell at you before? How did you handle the situation?

21. Do you get motion sickness?

22. Do you enjoy traveling? Tell me about your favorite destination and one destination that is on your bucket list.

23. How tolerable are you of people?

24. Why do you think passengers take their frustration out on the cabin crew, even though the crew is trying to help them?

25. What would you do if you saw one of your colleagues deliberately being rude to a passenger?

26. How would you handle a situation where one passenger complained about the passenger next to him for snoring too loudly?

27. Why do you want to work for this airline?

28. Tell me what you know about our airline.

29. When did you realize you wanted to become a flight attendant?

30. What type of emergency training have you completed?

31. What are your compensation expectations?

32. Do you have a current passport?

33. How would you rate your people skills?

34. If you were asked to take a flight across country and back unexpectedly, how would you handle this?

35. If a passenger got violently ill during a flight, how would you handle this situation?

36. If you had a passenger who couldn't keep calm due to anxiety of a plane crash, how would you calm them down?

37. How long do you see yourself as a flight attendant?