Expedia Group Business Analyst interview questions & guide 2026

The questions you will encounter during the Expedia Group interview process are designed to test your technical capabilities, your structured problem-solving skills, and your alignment with the company’s collaborative culture. These questions are representative of real interview experiences and are structured to evaluate your end-to-end analytical capabilities rather than rote memorization.

SQL & Python Coding

This category tests your ability to manipulate, clean, and extract insights from large relational databases and datasets. You will be expected to write clean, efficient code on the spot.

• Write a SQL query using window functions to find the top three most-booked hotel destinations for each customer segment over the last quarter.
• Given a table of user search queries and a table of bookings, write a query to calculate the search-to-book conversion rate per day.

Preparing for an interview at Expedia Group requires a balanced approach that addresses both technical execution and behavioral alignment. You should approach your preparation with the mindset of a business partner who uses data to solve complex, real-world travel problems.

Technical Execution – You must be highly proficient in SQL, Python, and data visualization tools like Tableau. Interviewers evaluate your ability to write clean, optimized code and build intuitive dashboards that convey complex data simply. Practice live coding and dashboard design under timed conditions.

Structured Problem Solving – You will be evaluated on your ability to break down ambiguous business problems into logical, structured components. When presented with a case study, focus on explaining your methodology, defining clear metrics, and outlining a step-by-step approach to finding the solution.

Behavioral & Value Alignment – Expedia Group places a massive emphasis on its corporate values and culture fit. You should prepare your behavioral answers using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) framework, ensuring that your stories highlight collaboration, bias for action, and customer-centricity.

The interview process for a Business Analyst at Expedia Group is thorough, extensive, and designed to evaluate your skills across multiple dimensions. It typically spans several weeks and involves multiple stages, ensuring that you are a strong fit for both the technical demands of the role and the collaborative culture of the company.

The process begins with an initial phone screen with an internal recruiter, focusing on your professional background, your motivation for joining Expedia Group, and your general alignment with the role. Following a successful screen, you will move into the technical evaluation phase. This stage is highly rigorous and includes a live technical assessment testing your SQL and Python coding skills, followed by a take-home data visualization case study where you are given a dataset to analyze and present using Tableau.

The final rounds consist of multiple interviews conducted by different team members, including hiring managers, technical leads, and HR. These rounds focus on business case problem-solving, deep dives into your past experience, and behavioral assessments centered around leadership and company values. The hiring team is known for being friendly and welcoming, aiming to assess your culture fit alongside your technical capabilities.

The visual timeline above outlines the standard progression of the Business Analyst interview loop at Expedia Group. Candidates should use this timeline to pace their preparation, focusing heavily on technical fundamentals in the early stages before shifting their focus to presentation skills and behavioral frameworks for the final rounds. While the exact sequence may vary slightly by geographic location or team, the core evaluation pillars remain consistent.

To succeed in the Expedia Group interview process, you must understand the specific competencies being evaluated in each core round.

Technical Execution (SQL & Python)

The technical coding round is a live, interactive session where you will be asked to write code to solve data manipulation problems. The interviewer wants to see how you translate business requirements into efficient queries and scripts.

Be ready to go over:

• SQL Window Functions – Calculating running totals, moving averages, and ranking data within specific partitions.
• Relational Joins & Aggregations – Handling complex multi-table joins, subqueries, and grouping logic to summarize transaction data.
• Python Data Manipulation – Using libraries like Pandas to clean data, handle missing values, and perform basic data transformations.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Query optimization techniques, indexing, and understanding database execution plans for high-volume datasets.

Example scenarios or questions:

• "Write a SQL query to find the average booking value per user, ranking users within their respective geographical regions."
• "Using Python, write a script to merge two travel search datasets on a non-unique timestamp and calculate the time elapsed between searches."

Tableau & Data Visualization

This stage evaluates your ability to turn raw data into a compelling visual narrative. You will be assessed on your dashboard design choices, your selection of KPIs, and your ability to present your findings to business stakeholders.

Be ready to go over:

• KPI Selection – Identifying the most critical metrics that align with the business objective of the case study.
• Dashboard Interactivity – Implementing filters, actions, and parameters that allow users to self-serve insights.
• Data Storytelling – Structuring your presentation to lead with key findings, followed by supporting data and strategic recommendations.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Level of Detail (LOD) expressions in Tableau, custom calculations, and dashboard performance optimization.

Example scenarios or questions:

• "Present a Tableau dashboard analyzing a dataset of hotel booking cancellations, highlighting the key drivers behind the cancellations."
• "Explain why you chose a specific chart type over another to represent the trend of mobile vs. desktop travel searches."

Business Case Analysis

The business case round tests your analytical framework, business acumen, and structured thinking. The interviewer will present an open-ended travel business challenge and observe how you approach it.

Be ready to go over:

• Root-Cause Analysis – Methodically isolating variables to identify the underlying cause of a business metric change.
• Metric Framework Design – Defining primary, secondary, and guardrail metrics for a new product launch or feature experiment.
• Market Sizing & Opportunity Estimation – Using logical assumptions and structured estimation to quantify the value of a business opportunity.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – A/B testing design, sample size calculation, and interpreting statistical significance in travel marketplace experiments.

Example scenarios or questions:

• "Our customer service contacts per booking have increased by 15% this month. Walk me through how you would investigate this issue."
• "How would you measure the success of a new loyalty program feature that offers free room upgrades to frequent Vrbo travelers?"

Behavioral & Values (STAR Method)

This round assesses your leadership capabilities, team collaboration, and alignment with Expedia Group's values. You must demonstrate that you can navigate ambiguity and drive results in a matrixed environment.

Be ready to go over:

• Managing Ambiguity – How you make decisions and progress on projects when clear requirements or complete data are missing.
• Stakeholder Influence – Using data-driven insights to align cross-functional partners who may have competing priorities.
• Overcoming Obstacles – Demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving when projects do not go as planned.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Navigating matrixed global organizations and managing communications across different time zones and cultures.

Example scenarios or questions:

• "Tell me about a time you had to deliver a data insight that contradicted what the product manager strongly believed. How did you handle the discussion?"
• "Describe a situation where you had to quickly pivot your analytical approach due to a sudden change in business priorities."

As a Business Analyst at Expedia Group, your day-to-day responsibilities will be dynamic and highly collaborative. You will act as the analytical engine for your team, translating business needs into data solutions.

Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Data Exploration & Querying – Querying large-scale data warehouses using SQL to extract and prepare datasets for deep-dive analysis.
• Dashboard Development – Designing, building, and maintaining automated Tableau dashboards that track key business and product performance metrics.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration – Working closely with Product Managers, Engineers, Marketing, and Finance teams to understand their data needs and provide analytical support.
• A/B Testing & Experimentation – Assisting in the design, execution, and analysis of product experiments, helping teams understand user behavior and product impact.
• Strategic Recommendations – Translating complex analytical findings into clear, concise, and actionable recommendations for non-technical business leaders.

You will be embedded within a specific product or business unit, allowing you to develop deep domain expertise in areas such as lodging supply, transport, traveler loyalty, or search and discovery.

To be competitive for the Business Analyst position at Expedia Group, you must demonstrate a strong foundation in both technical skills and business strategy.

• Must-have technical skills – Advanced proficiency in SQL (joins, window functions, CTEs) and hands-on experience with Python for data manipulation (Pandas, NumPy). Strong expertise in Tableau for dashboard creation and data visualization.
• Must-have experience – A solid background in quantitative analysis, business intelligence, or data analytics, typically backed by 2+ years of professional experience in a highly analytical role.
• Soft skills – Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with a proven ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Strong structured thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Nice-to-have skills – Experience in the travel or e-commerce industry, familiarity with cloud data platforms (such as Snowflake, AWS, or Databricks), and knowledge of A/B testing methodologies and statistical analysis.

Q: How technical is the Business Analyst interview at Expedia Group? A: The interview is highly technical. You will face live SQL and Python coding assessments, alongside a dedicated Tableau take-home case study. You must be comfortable writing code and building dashboards independently.

Q: How much preparation time is recommended for this interview loop? A: Most successful candidates spend 2 to 3 weeks preparing. This allows sufficient time to practice SQL and Python coding challenges, build mock Tableau dashboards, and structure behavioral stories using the STAR method.

Q: What is the culture like for Business Analysts at Expedia Group? A: The culture is highly collaborative, data-driven, and supportive. Analysts are viewed as strategic partners rather than just service providers, and there is a strong emphasis on continuous learning and career growth.

Q: How long does the interview process typically take from start to finish? A: The entire process usually takes between 3 to 5 weeks, depending on candidate availability and scheduling. The recruitment team is known for being highly organized, communicative, and timely with updates.

To maximize your chances of success during the Expedia Group interview process, keep these practical tips in mind:

• Master the STAR Method: Ensure every behavioral response clearly outlines the Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Quantify your results wherever possible (e.g., "reduced churn by 4%" or "saved 10 hours of manual reporting per week").
• Brush Up on E-commerce Metrics: Familiarize yourself with standard travel and e-commerce metrics, such as conversion rate, average order value (AOV), cancellation rate, and customer lifetime value (LTV).
• Structure Your Case Study Responses: When presented with an ambiguous business case, do not rush to an answer. Take a moment to write down your framework, state your assumptions clearly, and walk the interviewer through your logic step-by-step.

• Showcase Your Passion for Travel: Expedia Group is passionate about bringing the world within reach. Connect your personal passion for travel or technology with your professional motivation during your conversations with recruiters and hiring managers.

The Business Analyst role at Expedia Group represents an incredible opportunity to apply your technical skills and business acumen to solve complex, global-scale travel challenges. By working with massive datasets and collaborating with cross-functional teams, you will have a direct hand in shaping the traveler experience for millions of users worldwide.

To succeed in this interview process, focus your preparation on the core pillars of technical execution, structured business case analysis, and value-aligned behavioral storytelling. Dedicate time to practicing live coding, refining your dashboard design principles, and structuring your professional experiences into clear, impactful narratives.

The compensation data above represents typical salary insights for the Business Analyst role. When evaluating an offer from Expedia Group, consider the complete package, which often includes base salary, performance bonuses, equity components, and comprehensive travel benefits. Focused, structured preparation using resources on Dataford can materially improve your performance throughout the interview process, helping you secure a competitive offer.