Hawaiian airlines Software Engineer Interview Guide

Getting ready for a Software Engineer interview at Hawaiian Airlines? The Hawaiian Airlines Software Engineer interview process typically spans 3–5 question topics and evaluates skills in areas like algorithms, coding on a whiteboard, SQL queries, and presenting technical solutions. Interview preparation is especially important for this role at Hawaiian Airlines, as candidates are expected to demonstrate their ability to solve real-world engineering problems, communicate clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholders, and contribute to the development of robust, scalable systems that support airline operations and customer experiences.

In preparing for the interview, you should:

• Understand the core skills necessary for Software Engineer positions at Hawaiian Airlines.
• Gain insights into Hawaiian Airlines’ Software Engineer interview structure and process.
• Practice real Hawaiian Airlines Software Engineer interview questions to sharpen your performance.

At Interview Query, we regularly analyze interview experience data shared by candidates. This guide uses that data to provide an overview of the Hawaiian Airlines Software Engineer interview process, along with sample questions and preparation tips tailored to help you succeed.

Hawaiian Airlines is Hawaii’s largest and longest-serving airline, specializing in passenger and cargo transportation between the Hawaiian Islands, the U.S. mainland, and international destinations across the Pacific. Renowned for its commitment to safety, hospitality, and reliability, the company plays a vital role in connecting Hawaii with the world while promoting the spirit and culture of the islands. As a Software Engineer, you will contribute to the development and optimization of technology solutions that enhance operational efficiency and customer experience, supporting Hawaiian Airlines’ mission to deliver superior service and innovation in air travel.

As a Software Engineer at Hawaiian Airlines, you will design, develop, and maintain software solutions that support the airline’s operational, customer-facing, and internal systems. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product managers and IT specialists, to deliver reliable and scalable applications that enhance passenger experience, streamline booking and check-in processes, and improve overall efficiency. Responsibilities typically include coding, testing, debugging, and deploying software, as well as participating in code reviews and continuous improvement initiatives. This role is essential in helping Hawaiian Airlines innovate and maintain robust digital services that support its commitment to safety, hospitality, and customer satisfaction.

2.1 Stage 1: Application & Resume Review

The process begins with an online application and resume screening, typically conducted by a recruiter or HR representative. At this stage, the focus is on your technical background, experience with algorithms, object-oriented programming, and familiarity with languages like Python, Java, or SQL. The team also looks for evidence of problem-solving skills, ability to work collaboratively, and experience with software engineering best practices. To prepare, ensure your resume highlights relevant technical skills, project experience, and any exposure to aviation, travel, or large-scale systems.

2.2 Stage 2: Recruiter Screen

Next, you’ll have a phone or video call with a recruiter, usually lasting 30 minutes. This conversation covers your motivation for joining Hawaiian Airlines, communication skills, and general fit for the team and company culture. Expect questions about your background, key projects, and why you’re interested in the airline industry. The recruiter will also outline the interview process and answer any questions you have about the company. Preparation should include a concise summary of your experience and thoughtful reasons for your interest in Hawaiian Airlines and the Software Engineer role.

2.3 Stage 3: Technical/Case/Skills Round

The technical rounds are the core of the process, typically consisting of one or two interviews with senior engineers or managers. These sessions last 60–120 minutes and may be conducted via video conference or in person. You’ll be asked to solve coding problems, often on a whiteboard or shared IDE, covering algorithms, data structures, and sometimes SQL queries. Expect to demonstrate proficiency in your preferred programming language (Python, Java, or similar), optimize solutions using mathematical reasoning, and articulate your approach clearly. Some rounds may include scenario-based questions, system design, or database modeling relevant to airline operations. Preparation should involve practicing coding challenges, reviewing algorithmic techniques, and brushing up on SQL and system design fundamentals.

2.4 Stage 4: Behavioral Interview

Behavioral interviews are usually conducted by managers or a panel and focus on your interpersonal skills, teamwork, adaptability, and alignment with Hawaiian Airlines’ values. You’ll discuss previous projects, challenges faced, and how you contributed to team success. Common topics include communication, problem-solving, handling feedback, and your ability to present technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Prepare by reflecting on your experiences and formulating clear examples that demonstrate your soft skills and cultural fit.

2.5 Stage 5: Final/Onsite Round

The final stage often involves a series of in-person interviews at the Honolulu office or via extended video sessions. You’ll meet with engineers, managers, and possibly directors, participating in technical deep-dives, whiteboard challenges, and system design exercises. There may also be discussions about your long-term goals, fit with the team, and your ability to contribute to Hawaiian Airlines’ mission. Some candidates may be asked to present solutions or insights to a group, testing both technical acumen and presentation skills. Preparation should include readiness for technical problem-solving, clear communication, and adaptability to various interview formats.

2.6 Stage 6: Offer & Negotiation

After successful completion of all rounds, HR will reach out to discuss the offer, compensation, benefits, and start date. The negotiation may include discussions with the hiring manager and HR regarding salary, relocation, and other terms. Be prepared to articulate your expectations and ask clarifying questions to ensure alignment with your career goals.

2.7 Average Timeline

The Hawaiian Airlines Software Engineer interview process typically spans 3–6 weeks from application to offer. Fast-track candidates with highly relevant experience and strong technical performance may complete the process in 2–3 weeks, while standard pace candidates can expect about a week between each stage, with potential delays for scheduling onsite interviews or panel meetings. Communication can vary, so proactive follow-up is recommended to ensure you stay informed about your status.

Now, let’s dive into the types of interview questions you might encounter throughout the process.

3.1. System Design & Architecture

Expect to discuss database modeling, scalable pipelines, and system integrations tailored to the airline industry. Focus on demonstrating your ability to design systems that handle large volumes of operational data, ensure reliability, and support diverse business needs.

3.1.1 Model a database for an airline company
Break down airline operations into entities such as flights, passengers, bookings, and crew. Explain your normalization strategy and discuss how your design supports both transactional efficiency and analytical queries.

3.1.2 Design a scalable ETL pipeline for ingesting heterogeneous data from Skyscanner's partners
Describe the architecture for handling varied schemas and continuous data updates. Highlight your approach to schema mapping, error handling, and maintaining data integrity across sources.

3.1.3 Design a data warehouse for a new online retailer
Outline your process for requirements gathering, schema design, and ETL pipeline setup. Discuss strategies for supporting analytics, reporting, and future scalability.

3.1.4 Design a system to synchronize two continuously updated, schema-different hotel inventory databases at Agoda
Detail how you would handle schema differences, conflict resolution, and real-time synchronization. Emphasize techniques for ensuring data consistency and high availability.

3.1.5 How would you design a data warehouse for a e-commerce company looking to expand internationally?
Discuss considerations for multi-region data, localization, and compliance. Show how your design supports both operational and analytical needs.

3.2. Data Quality & Cleaning

These questions assess your ability to identify, diagnose, and remediate data quality issues—critical for airline operations where accurate data is essential for safety and customer experience.

3.2.1 How would you approach improving the quality of airline data?
Describe your process for profiling data, identifying sources of error, and implementing remediation steps. Mention monitoring and automation for continuous quality assurance.

3.2.2 Describing a real-world data cleaning and organization project
Share a specific example of a messy dataset you cleaned. Highlight techniques for handling duplicates, nulls, and inconsistent formats.

3.2.3 How would you investigate a spike in damaged televisions reported by customers?
Explain your approach to root cause analysis using data. Discuss how you would collect, clean, and analyze relevant records to pinpoint the issue.

3.2.4 Reconstruct the path of a trip so that the trip tickets are in order.
Describe algorithms for sorting and linking unordered data. Emphasize your logic for handling missing or ambiguous entries.

3.3. Algorithms & Problem Solving

Demonstrate your ability to devise efficient solutions for operational challenges, optimize workflows, and handle complex data relationships in airline scenarios.

3.3.1 Find the second longest flight between each pair of cities.
Explain your approach to grouping and ranking flights per city pair. Discuss how you handle ties and missing data.

3.3.2 Select All Flights
Show your method for querying and filtering flight records. Highlight considerations for performance and completeness.

3.3.3 Reconstruct the path of a trip so that the trip tickets are in order.
Describe your strategy for sorting and connecting trip segments. Discuss handling edge cases such as missing or duplicate tickets.

3.3.4 Given a list of locations that your trucks are stored at, return the top location for each model of truck (Mercedes or BMW).
Detail your aggregation and ranking approach. Mention how you would optimize for large datasets.

3.3.5 A new airline came out as the fastest average boarding times compared to other airlines. What factors could have biased this result and what would you look into?
List potential sources of bias and your methods for validating results. Discuss data collection, sampling, and confounding variables.

3.4. Metrics, Experimentation & Analytics

Expect to analyze business scenarios, design experiments, and interpret metrics that drive airline operations and customer experience.

3.4.1 You work as a data scientist for ride-sharing company. An executive asks how you would evaluate whether a 50% rider discount promotion is a good or bad idea? How would you implement it? What metrics would you track?
Describe your experimental design, key metrics, and approach to causal inference. Discuss how you would measure both immediate and long-term impacts.

3.4.2 Delivering an exceptional customer experience by focusing on key customer-centric parameters
Identify essential metrics for customer satisfaction. Explain your approach for measuring and improving these metrics.

3.4.3 How do we go about selecting the best 10,000 customers for the pre-launch?
Discuss segmentation strategies, selection criteria, and fairness in sample selection. Highlight data-driven decision-making.

3.4.4 How would you analyze how the feature is performing?
Detail your approach to tracking adoption, usage, and impact. Mention A/B testing or cohort analysis where relevant.

3.4.5 Count total tickets, tickets with agent assignment, and tickets without agent assignment.
Show your method for aggregating and categorizing support data. Discuss how you would visualize or report results.

3.5. Presentation & Stakeholder Communication

Showcase your ability to present insights, tailor communications to technical and non-technical audiences, and drive business decisions with data.

3.5.1 How to present complex data insights with clarity and adaptability tailored to a specific audience
Explain how you structure presentations, simplify technical details, and adjust messaging for different stakeholders.

3.5.2 What do you tell an interviewer when they ask you what your strengths and weaknesses are?
Reflect on relevant skills and areas for growth, focusing on those most applicable to software engineering and data-driven environments.

---

3.6. Behavioral Questions

3.6.1 Tell me about a time you used data to make a decision.
Focus on a situation where your analysis directly influenced a business or technical outcome. Emphasize the impact and how you communicated your findings.

3.6.2 Describe a challenging data project and how you handled it.
Pick a project with significant hurdles such as ambiguous requirements or data quality issues. Highlight your problem-solving approach and resilience.

3.6.3 How do you handle unclear requirements or ambiguity?
Share your process for clarifying objectives, engaging stakeholders, and iterating quickly. Discuss how you balance flexibility with progress.

3.6.4 Tell me about a time when your colleagues didn’t agree with your approach. What did you do to bring them into the conversation and address their concerns?
Describe how you facilitated discussion, presented data or prototypes, and built consensus.

3.6.5 Describe a time you had to negotiate scope creep when two departments kept adding “just one more” request. How did you keep the project on track?
Show your ability to prioritize, communicate trade-offs, and maintain focus on core deliverables.

3.6.6 When leadership demanded a quicker deadline than you felt was realistic, what steps did you take to reset expectations while still showing progress?
Discuss your negotiation tactics, transparency, and how you managed stakeholder expectations.

3.6.7 Give an example of how you balanced short-term wins with long-term data integrity when pressured to ship a dashboard quickly.
Explain your decision framework for balancing speed and accuracy, and how you communicated risks.

3.6.8 Tell me about a situation where you had to influence stakeholders without formal authority to adopt a data-driven recommendation.
Share your strategy for persuasion, evidence-based arguments, and relationship-building.

3.6.9 Describe how you prioritized backlog items when multiple executives marked their requests as “high priority.”
Highlight your prioritization framework and how you communicated decisions.

3.6.10 Tell us about a time you caught an error in your analysis after sharing results. What did you do next?
Demonstrate accountability, your process for correction, and how you maintained trust with stakeholders.

4.1 Company-specific tips:

Immerse yourself in Hawaiian Airlines’ core values of safety, hospitality, and reliability. Research how technology supports the airline’s mission to deliver exceptional service and operational excellence. Understand the unique challenges of the airline industry, such as real-time data processing, flight scheduling, and passenger management, and be ready to discuss how software engineering can address these needs.

Familiarize yourself with the major operational systems that airlines rely on, such as booking platforms, check-in processes, and crew scheduling. Reflect on how scalable, secure, and robust software solutions can improve these systems and contribute to smoother passenger experiences. Be prepared to discuss the impact of your work not just on technical outcomes, but also on customer satisfaction and business efficiency.

Stay up to date with recent innovations and digital initiatives at Hawaiian Airlines, including mobile apps, online booking enhancements, and data-driven decision-making. Demonstrate your awareness of the company’s push toward modernization and how your technical skills can help advance these projects.

4.2 Role-specific tips:

4.2.1 Practice designing robust, normalized databases for airline operations.
Prepare to model complex data relationships such as flights, passengers, bookings, and crew assignments. Show your ability to create schemas that support both transactional efficiency and analytical queries, and discuss normalization strategies that minimize redundancy while preserving data integrity.

4.2.2 Develop your algorithmic problem-solving skills, especially for operational scenarios.
Expect questions that involve optimizing flight schedules, sorting trip tickets, or identifying anomalies in operational data. Focus on writing clean, efficient code and explaining your reasoning for selecting particular data structures or algorithms.

4.2.3 Strengthen your SQL and data querying abilities for large, heterogeneous datasets.
Be ready to write queries that aggregate, filter, and join data from multiple sources, such as flight logs and passenger records. Practice handling real-world airline scenarios, like finding the second longest flight between city pairs or analyzing ticket assignment trends.

4.2.4 Prepare to discuss your approach to data quality and cleaning in mission-critical environments.
Share examples of how you have identified and resolved data quality issues, especially in contexts where accuracy is paramount—such as airline safety or customer service. Emphasize strategies for automating data validation and monitoring for continuous improvement.

4.2.5 Refine your system design skills for scalable, reliable airline solutions.
Anticipate questions about designing ETL pipelines or integrating disparate operational systems. Articulate your approach to handling schema differences, ensuring high availability, and maintaining data consistency across platforms.

4.2.6 Practice communicating technical solutions to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Demonstrate your ability to present complex insights clearly, tailoring your message for audiences ranging from engineers to business leaders. Highlight your experience translating technical concepts into actionable recommendations that drive business decisions.

4.2.7 Prepare behavioral stories that showcase teamwork, adaptability, and customer focus.
Reflect on times when you collaborated across teams, handled scope changes, or balanced speed with long-term quality. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses and emphasize your alignment with Hawaiian Airlines’ culture.

4.2.8 Be ready to handle ambiguity and demonstrate ownership in fast-paced environments.
Share how you’ve navigated unclear requirements, built consensus among stakeholders, and delivered solutions under pressure. Show your proactive approach to problem-solving and your commitment to continuous improvement.

4.2.9 Review common airline industry metrics and experiment design principles.
Be prepared to discuss how you would measure the success of new features, promotions, or operational changes. Explain your approach to designing experiments, tracking key metrics, and interpreting results to inform business strategy.

4.2.10 Prepare to answer questions about your strengths, weaknesses, and growth mindset.
Identify skills that make you an asset to the Hawaiian Airlines engineering team, as well as areas you’re actively working to improve. Show that you’re self-aware, open to feedback, and committed to ongoing development in both technical and interpersonal domains.

5.1 How hard is the Hawaiian Airlines Software Engineer interview?
The Hawaiian Airlines Software Engineer interview is moderately challenging, with a strong emphasis on real-world problem solving, system design, and coding proficiency. Candidates are expected to demonstrate expertise in algorithms, SQL queries, and technical solution presentation. The interview also assesses your ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, and to contribute to robust, scalable systems that support airline operations and customer experience. Preparation and familiarity with airline-specific scenarios will give you a distinct advantage.

5.2 How many interview rounds does Hawaiian Airlines have for Software Engineer?
Typically, the process consists of 4–6 rounds: application and resume review, recruiter screen, one or two technical interviews, a behavioral interview, and a final onsite or extended video round. Each stage is designed to evaluate different aspects of your technical and interpersonal skills.

5.3 Does Hawaiian Airlines ask for take-home assignments for Software Engineer?
Take-home assignments are not always a standard part of the Hawaiian Airlines Software Engineer interview, but some candidates may be given a technical case study or coding challenge to complete at home, especially for roles requiring advanced system design or data modeling skills.

5.4 What skills are required for the Hawaiian Airlines Software Engineer?
Key skills include proficiency in programming languages such as Python or Java, strong knowledge of algorithms and data structures, SQL querying, system and database design, as well as experience with data quality and cleaning. Communication skills and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally are essential, as is an understanding of scalable, reliable software solutions tailored to airline operations.

5.5 How long does the Hawaiian Airlines Software Engineer hiring process take?
The hiring process typically spans 3–6 weeks from application to offer. Fast-track candidates may complete the process in as little as 2–3 weeks, while standard timelines allow about a week between each stage. Scheduling onsite interviews or panel meetings may cause minor variations.

5.6 What types of questions are asked in the Hawaiian Airlines Software Engineer interview?
Expect a mix of technical coding challenges, system design and architecture questions, SQL and data modeling problems, and scenario-based case studies relevant to airline operations. Behavioral interviews focus on teamwork, adaptability, and communication. You may also be asked to present technical solutions or insights to a diverse audience.

5.7 Does Hawaiian Airlines give feedback after the Software Engineer interview?
Hawaiian Airlines typically provides high-level feedback through recruiters. While detailed technical feedback may be limited, you can expect to receive insights on your overall performance and fit for the team.

5.8 What is the acceptance rate for Hawaiian Airlines Software Engineer applicants?
While specific rates are not publicly disclosed, the Software Engineer role at Hawaiian Airlines is competitive. The estimated acceptance rate is around 3–6% for qualified applicants, reflecting the high standards and selectivity of the team.

5.9 Does Hawaiian Airlines hire remote Software Engineer positions?
Hawaiian Airlines does offer remote opportunities for Software Engineers, particularly for roles focused on software development and data solutions. Some positions may require occasional travel to the Honolulu office for team collaboration or project meetings, depending on the team’s needs and project requirements.

• Related guides:
  • Hawaiian Airlines interview questions
  • Software Engineer interview guide
  • Top software engineering interview tips

Ready to ace your Hawaiian Airlines Software Engineer interview? It’s not just about knowing the technical skills—you need to think like a Hawaiian Airlines Software Engineer, solve problems under pressure, and connect your expertise to real business impact. That’s where Interview Query comes in with company-specific learning paths, mock interviews, and curated question banks tailored toward roles at Hawaiian Airlines and similar companies.

With resources like the Hawaiian Airlines Software Engineer Interview Guide and our latest case study practice sets, you’ll get access to real interview questions, detailed walkthroughs, and coaching support designed to boost both your technical skills and domain intuition.

Take the next step—explore more case study questions, try mock interviews, and browse targeted prep materials on Interview Query. Bookmark this guide or share it with peers prepping for similar roles. It could be the difference between applying and offering. You’ve got this!

• Hawaiian Airlines interview questions
• Software Engineer interview guide
• Top software engineering interview tips