A Hold in air ticketing is a temporary booking status that allows a travel agent or customer to reserve a flight segment without issuing the ticket immediately. The reservation is stored in the airline’s PNR (Passenger Name Record) for a limited validity period — typically a few hours to a few days, depending on the airline, route, and fare rules.
During a Hold, the fare and seat availability are protected, which prevents price hikes or sold-out situations while the traveler finalizes the decision or payment. Agents use Hold PNRs to prevent losing a sale due to customer delays.
Why Hold Is Important in Travel Business
When Holds Are Used Most
Risks & Deadlines