In October 2007, Alwaleed ordered a test flight version of the A380: Serial number 002, essentially a second hand plane, which one source said was about 23, 000 pounds heavier than the current version of the plane.

FORBES: The Incredible, Amazing Jumbo Jet That Prince Alwaleed Never Really Bought

There are also varying guidelines about how many hours of training pilots must complete, below what altitude they should not hand over control of a plane and when they should abort landings.

BBC: How human error can cause a plane crash

First, you'll have to schlep hand luggage on and off the plane multiple times in each direction.

BBC: Direct, nonstop, connecting?

"We're coming to see you in July, " she would have informed Ruma, the plane tickets already in hand.

NPR: Excerpt: 'Unaccustomed Earth'

National pride is one reason: even law-abiding Colombians are still apt to bridle at the humiliating memory of Mr Lehder, shackled hand and foot, being bundled on to a plane by United States marshals.

ECONOMIST: Colombia contemplates extraditing its drugsters

By playing its hand close Boeing just might launch an all-new plane five years or so before that.

ECONOMIST: Airbus plays the new-engine card

Like me on that long ago plane ride, they will never know why a stranger took the time to extend a hand.

NPR: The Connection Between Strangers

And she came off the plane about 45 minutes after the plane was scheduled to land because of all the chaos, and she cried, held her hand up to the sky as if in prayer, and was very thankful to be home.

NPR: Benazir Bhutto Returns to Pakistan

Still, security experts believe there's always a chance that a potential terrorist could slip onto a plane, regardless of whether he's subject to scanning at a high-tech kiosk or a hand search of bags and shoes.

FORBES: Ez-Pass Airport Security