Skyscanner Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Skyscanner is a leading global travel search engine that enables users to find and compare flights, hotels, and car rentals to make travel planning easier and more affordable.

As a Software Engineer at Skyscanner, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining scalable software solutions that enhance the user experience across their platforms. Your role will involve collaborating with cross-functional teams to understand business requirements and translating them into technical specifications. You will be tasked with writing clean, efficient, and well-documented code while also conducting code reviews to ensure adherence to best practices. A strong understanding of algorithms, data structures, and system design is essential, as you will frequently solve complex problems and optimize existing systems.

Successful candidates will possess a solid foundation in programming languages such as Java, Python, or JavaScript, as well as familiarity with web technologies and frameworks. An appreciation for agile methodologies and experience in continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) practices are also valuable. Beyond technical skills, Skyscanner seeks individuals who are adaptable, have strong communication abilities, and are passionate about delivering high-quality software solutions that align with the company’s mission of improving travel for everyone.

This guide aims to prepare you for your interview by providing insights into the expectations for the Software Engineer role at Skyscanner, highlighting the skills and experiences that will set you apart from other candidates.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Skyscanner is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit, ensuring candidates align with the company's values and work environment. The process typically unfolds in several stages:

1. Initial Screening

The first step involves a brief phone call with a recruiter, lasting around 30 minutes. This conversation serves to introduce the candidate to Skyscanner, discuss the role, and evaluate the candidate's background, skills, and motivations. The recruiter will also gauge the candidate's fit within the company culture, which is a significant aspect of the hiring process.

2. Coding Assessment

Following the initial screening, candidates are required to complete an online coding challenge, often hosted on platforms like HackerRank or Codility. This assessment usually consists of two to three algorithmic questions that candidates must solve within a specified time frame, typically around 60 to 120 minutes. The focus is on evaluating problem-solving skills and coding proficiency.

3. Technical Interview

Candidates who perform well in the coding assessment will be invited to a technical interview, which can take place via video call or in person. This interview generally lasts about 45 to 60 minutes and includes a mix of technical questions related to past projects, system design, and algorithms. Candidates may be asked to explain their thought process while solving problems, as well as to discuss their experience with specific technologies and methodologies.

4. Cultural Fit Interview

In addition to technical skills, Skyscanner places a strong emphasis on cultural fit. Candidates will participate in a cultural fit interview, which may occur alongside the technical interview or as a separate session. This interview focuses on understanding the candidate's values, work style, and how they align with Skyscanner's mission and team dynamics.

5. Onsite Assessment

For candidates who successfully navigate the previous stages, an onsite assessment may be scheduled. This typically involves multiple interviews with different team members, including technical and behavioral assessments. Candidates may also engage in group activities or presentations, allowing interviewers to observe collaboration and communication skills in a team setting.

6. Final Review

After the onsite assessment, the interview panel will review the candidate's performance across all stages. Feedback is provided, and candidates may receive insights into their strengths and areas for improvement, regardless of the outcome.

As you prepare for your interview, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that may arise during the process.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Understand the Interview Structure

Familiarize yourself with the multi-stage interview process at Skyscanner, which typically includes an initial coding challenge, a cultural fit interview, and technical interviews focusing on your depth of expertise. Knowing what to expect at each stage will help you prepare effectively and reduce anxiety. Be ready to discuss your past projects in detail, as interviewers often want to understand your thought process and problem-solving skills.

Prepare for Cultural Fit Questions

Skyscanner places a strong emphasis on cultural fit, so take the time to reflect on your values and how they align with the company’s mission. Be prepared to discuss scenarios that demonstrate your teamwork, adaptability, and how you handle challenges. Authenticity is key; they appreciate candidates who can share genuine experiences rather than rehearsed answers.

Hone Your Technical Skills

Brush up on your coding skills, particularly in algorithms and data structures, as these are common topics in technical interviews. Practice coding problems on platforms like HackerRank, as many candidates have reported using this for their initial assessments. Focus on understanding the underlying concepts rather than just memorizing solutions, as interviewers are interested in your problem-solving approach.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

During technical interviews, clearly articulate your thought process as you work through problems. Interviewers appreciate candidates who can explain their reasoning and approach, even if they don’t arrive at the correct solution. Practice explaining your code and decisions out loud, as this will help you become more comfortable during the actual interview.

Be Ready for System Design Questions

Expect to encounter system design questions, especially in later stages of the interview. Familiarize yourself with common design patterns and be prepared to discuss how you would approach building scalable systems. Think about trade-offs and be ready to justify your design choices, as interviewers will be looking for your ability to think critically about architecture.

Engage with Your Interviewers

Make the interview a two-way conversation. Prepare thoughtful questions about the team, projects, and company culture to demonstrate your interest in Skyscanner. Engaging with your interviewers can help you build rapport and leave a positive impression.

Manage Your Time Wisely

During coding challenges, be mindful of the time constraints. Practice solving problems within a set time limit to improve your speed and efficiency. If you find yourself stuck, it’s better to move on to another part of the problem rather than getting bogged down.

Seek Feedback and Learn

If you receive feedback after your interviews, take it constructively. Many candidates have noted that Skyscanner provides detailed feedback, which can be invaluable for your growth. Use this feedback to identify areas for improvement and refine your approach for future opportunities.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you can enhance your chances of success in the interview process at Skyscanner. Good luck!

Experience and Background

1. Tell me about one of your most recent projects. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?

This question aims to assess your practical experience and problem-solving skills. Be prepared to discuss the technical aspects of the project, the challenges you encountered, and the solutions you implemented.

How to Answer

Focus on a project that showcases your skills relevant to the role. Highlight specific challenges and the steps you took to resolve them, emphasizing your thought process and technical decisions.

Example

“In my last project, I developed a web application for managing travel itineraries. One major challenge was integrating multiple APIs for real-time data. I overcame this by creating a middleware service that standardized the data formats, which improved the application's reliability and performance.”

2. Describe a time when you failed. What did you learn from it?

This question evaluates your resilience and ability to learn from mistakes.

How to Answer

Choose a specific instance where you faced a setback. Discuss what went wrong, how you reacted, and the lessons learned that you applied in future situations.

Example

“I once underestimated the time required for a feature implementation, which led to a missed deadline. I learned the importance of thorough planning and time estimation, and now I always allocate buffer time for unexpected issues in my projects.”

3. How would you design a system to handle a high volume of user requests?

This question tests your system design skills and understanding of scalability.

How to Answer

Discuss the principles of scalable architecture, such as load balancing, caching, and database optimization. Provide a high-level overview of how you would approach the design.

Example

“I would start by implementing a microservices architecture to isolate different functionalities. Using load balancers would distribute incoming requests evenly across servers, while caching frequently accessed data would reduce database load. Additionally, I would use a message queue to handle spikes in traffic gracefully.”

4. Can you explain the difference between TCP and UDP? When would you use one over the other?

This question assesses your understanding of networking protocols.

How to Answer

Clearly define both protocols and their use cases. Highlight the trade-offs between reliability and speed.

Example

“TCP is a connection-oriented protocol that ensures reliable data transmission through error checking and retransmission, making it suitable for applications like web browsing. In contrast, UDP is connectionless and faster, ideal for real-time applications like video streaming where speed is prioritized over reliability.”

5. What is your experience with Agile methodologies? How do you apply them in your work?

This question evaluates your familiarity with Agile practices and teamwork.

How to Answer

Discuss your experience working in Agile teams, focusing on specific practices like sprints, stand-ups, and retrospectives.

Example

“I have worked in Agile teams for several years, participating in daily stand-ups and sprint planning sessions. I find that breaking down tasks into smaller, manageable pieces allows for better tracking of progress and quicker adjustments based on feedback.”

Technical Skills

1. Describe your experience with data structures and algorithms. Can you give an example of a problem you solved using them?

This question tests your foundational knowledge in computer science.

How to Answer

Provide a brief overview of your experience with data structures and algorithms, then describe a specific problem and the approach you took.

Example

“I have a solid understanding of data structures like arrays, linked lists, and trees. For instance, I implemented a binary search tree to optimize search operations in a project, which significantly reduced the time complexity from O(n) to O(log n).”

2. How would you implement a URL shortening service?

This question assesses your ability to design a practical application.

How to Answer

Outline the key components of the service, including the database schema, hashing mechanism, and how you would handle collisions.

Example

“I would create a database to store the original URLs and their corresponding shortened versions. To generate the short URL, I would use a hashing algorithm to create a unique key. In case of a collision, I would append a counter to the key until a unique one is found.”

3. What strategies do you use to optimize SQL queries?

This question evaluates your database management skills.

How to Answer

Discuss various optimization techniques, such as indexing, query restructuring, and analyzing execution plans.

Example

“I often start by analyzing the execution plan to identify bottlenecks. I use indexing on frequently queried columns to speed up lookups and restructure complex queries to minimize joins and subqueries, which can significantly enhance performance.”

4. Can you explain the concept of RESTful APIs? How do you design them?

This question tests your understanding of web services and API design.

How to Answer

Define RESTful APIs and discuss the principles of statelessness, resource representation, and HTTP methods.

Example

“RESTful APIs are designed around resources, using standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE. I ensure that each endpoint is stateless and returns data in a consistent format, typically JSON, to facilitate easy integration with clients.”

5. How do you approach debugging a complex issue in your code?

This question assesses your problem-solving and analytical skills.

How to Answer

Describe your systematic approach to debugging, including tools and techniques you use.

Example

“When debugging, I first try to reproduce the issue consistently. I then use logging to gather information about the state of the application at various points. If necessary, I employ debugging tools to step through the code and identify the root cause.”