Interviewer view · keep this screen to yourself

2. Per flight: a short-haul flight in Europe

You run the case. Read the prompt, answer questions from the notes below, and share data only when the candidate asks for it or gets stuck. Score at the end.

Case timer

00:00

Target length:

1. Read the prompt aloud

Read it slowly, then pause. Let the candidate ask questions before they structure.

A short-haul flight in Europe has 180 seats and flies 85 percent full. Each passenger pays an average fare of EUR 80 plus EUR 20 for extras such as bags and seat choice. One flight costs EUR 4,200 in fuel, EUR 3,000 in airport and navigation fees, EUR 1,800 for crew, EUR 1,200 for maintenance, EUR 2,500 for the aircraft (lease or ownership) and EUR 1,100 of overhead. Does the flight make money, and at what load factor does it break even?

2. Answers to clarifying questions

This case has no scripted clarifying answers. Answer from the prompt, and say "assume what you think is reasonable" if the prompt does not cover it.

3. A model structure

Compare the candidate's structure with this one. A different split can be just as good if it is clean and fits the problem.

Flight profit = passengers x revenue per passenger minus cost per flight
- Passengers = seats x load factor
- Revenue per passenger = fare + extras
- Cost per flight

4. The working, step by step

Each step shows how a strong candidate works it out. Share a new fact from it only when the candidate asks or is stuck, and let them do the math: the result in the dark box is what they should reach.

Step 1: Passengers
What a strong candidate does: 180 seats, 85 percent full.
Passengers per flight: 180 × 0.85 = 153
Step 2: Revenue
What a strong candidate does: 153 passengers at EUR 100 each (fare plus extras).
Revenue per flight (EUR): 153 × (80 + 20) = 15,300
Step 3: Cost
What a strong candidate does: Add all the costs of the flight.
Cost per flight (EUR): 4,200 + 3,000 + 1,800 + 1,200 + 2,500 + 1,100 = 13,800
Step 4: Profit
What a strong candidate does: Revenue minus cost.
Profit per flight (EUR): 15,300 - 13,800 = 1,500
Step 5: Breakeven load factor
What a strong candidate does: Cost divided by the revenue of a completely full flight.
Breakeven load factor (percent): 13,800 ÷ (180 × 100) × 100 = 76.67

The recommendation to listen for

At the end, say: "The CEO walks in. What is your recommendation?"

The airline should keep flying this route, since each flight earns EUR 1,500, but it must manage fares closely, because the flight breaks even at about 77 percent full against 85 percent today. First, only 8 or 9 points of load factor separate profit from loss. Second, extras matter: with the fare alone, 153 passengers at EUR 80 bring EUR 12,240, below the EUR 13,800 cost. The risk is a fall in demand or a rise in fuel cost, which would wipe out the margin. As a next step, track bookings and adjust fares seat by seat to stay above 77 percent.

Score the candidate

Score each criterion from 1 to 5. A 2 or a 4 sits between the descriptions.

This case has no exhibit. Score Exhibit reading on how the candidate used the data you gave them: did they pick out the number that matters and say what it means?

Structuring

1: No clear structure, or a memorized framework that does not fit the problem.
3: A sensible structure, but with some overlap, a gap, or no clear priority.
5: A structure built for this problem, with no overlap and no gaps, a stated hypothesis, and a clear first step.

Math

1: Frequent errors, no units, or needed heavy help to finish.
3: Right answers but slow or messy working, or one error caught late.
5: Accurate and clearly narrated, with units, a sense check, and what the number means.

Exhibit reading

1: Read the chart aloud without finding the number that matters.
3: Found the key number but gave only part of the so-what.
5: Pulled the right number quickly and said what it means for the case.

Synthesis

1: Summarized what was done, with no clear answer.
3: Gave an answer, but with weak reasons or no next step.
5: Answer first, then two or three reasons with numbers, the main risk, and next steps.

Communication

1: Hard to follow: long silences, no signposting.
3: Clear most of the time, with some rambling.
5: Calm and concise, signposted each step, and checked in with the interviewer.

Total

0 out of 25

Score all five criteria to see the band and the feedback template.