Armed with his cell phone number, they circled the skies over the New York area, intercepting a call to Emirates Airlines reservations, before scrambling to catch him at John F.

FORBES: Surveillance cameras were useful for catching Faisal Shahzad after all

If customers must travel and are not yet at the airport, they can rebook through American Airlines reservations or through another carrier and American will honor the fare difference, the airline announced.

WSJ: What to do if you're stranded by American Airlines

The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait is urging U.S. citizens who want to leave the country to contact airlines for reservations while commercial flights are still available.

CNN: U.S.: Expel Iraqi ambassadors

My favorite split-rated name at the moment is Expedia, the online travel service that offers reservations for airlines, hotels and rental cars.

FORBES: One Rating Agency's Junk Bond Could Be Your High-Yield Treasure

Airlines will have to hold all reservations for at least 24 hours at the quoted fare, without payment.

BBC: US strengthens airline passenger rights

Integrating reservations systems is a complex and enormous task for airlines, partly because they have to take the systems temporarily offline, even though flight operations must continue.

WSJ: Delays Hit 1,300 American Airlines Flights

Coach reservations, later upgraded to first class, on the Northwest Airlines flight to Detroit were made in the name of Mr. and Mrs.

CNN: Free -- And Still Feisty

Credit cards for Delta and Continental Airlines now offer cardholders one free checked bag for up to nine people when reservations are charged to these cards.

FORBES: Credit Card Tip Of The Week: Using Your Airline Card To Pay For Your Checked Bags

Many online travel agencies have come to resemble physical ones, signing up with a GDS which provides a reservations system and other computing power while handing them a commission (ultimately paid by the airlines) on every booking.

ECONOMIST: The travel business