Optimal crew combination is crucial for team performance and flight safety, which is influenced by various factors such as the pilot’s flight experience, role assignment, and hierarchy in the cockpit. The main objective of this study is to investigate the effects of power distance, flight experience, and role assignment on pilots’ situation awareness (SA). A total of 30 commercial airline pilots (15 first officers and pilot trainees, 15 captains and instructors) completed two simulated low-visibility approaches as pilot flying (PF) and pilot monitoring (PF) in a balanced sequence in an A320 Full Flight Simulator. The pilot’s power distance orientation, flight experience, and situation awareness were measured by the Power Distance Scale, self-reported scale, and Situation Awareness Rating Technique (SART). The results showed a main effect of flight experience on SA. Compared to less experienced pilots, experienced pilots rated higher scores of SA. Power distance orientation was negatively associated with SA, and PM exhibited higher SA than PF, but the two effects were not significant. To sum up, in addition to improving the pilot’s flight experience, it is more important to ensure the reasonableness of the hierarchy through the effective matching of the crew, which is of great significance in improving the team’s situational awareness, seeking the optimal crew combination and ensuring flight safety. The realization of “optimal crew combination” requires a binding of pilot experience, role assignment, and cockpit power distance to create a favorable cockpit culture. These considerations are conducive to improving crew performance and flight safety.