Go directly to the airlines for the most accurate airline industry information resources When you want to learn about a particular airline company, there's no better place to look than the company's website. These sites will include information about the company's rules and regulations as well as offer detailed profiles of company information.

I recommend:  Check out Continental or US Air to learn about these companies. Of course, there are several other airlines. To find other airlines' websites, visit the Federal Aviation Administration, which lists links to airlines' sites.

Sign up for programs that send you current airline travel information about fares Since fares are changing all the time, you need a tool that will help you learn about fare increases or sales as soon as they happen. Sign up for a newsletter or program that will alert you to any changes.

I recommend:  If you join United's MileagePlus program, you can get updated fares sent to your email. Southwest can send emails with fare sales, but they also have a downloadable program that allows you to learn about fare changes as they happen.

Purchase airline reports to learn more about the industry Many market research firms publish reports about the airline industry to help you know what's going on and where you should take your business. These provide invaluable airline research at a reasonable price.

I recommend:  The International Association of Travel Agents (IATA) offers airline market research to their members. You can also purchase an airline industry report from MarketResearch.com.