Company: Continental Airlines, Inc.

United Airlines battled service problems including flight delays, faulty kiosks and jammed phonelines this weekend as it worked through technical glitches during its combination of the United and Continental Airlines reservation systems.

Flying to Europe is about to get more expensive. The continent's highest court upheld a European Union law on Wednesday that will charge airlines for carbon emissions on flights to and from Europe, beginning January 1.

Airlines worldwide face severe losses next year if Europe's politicians fail to get to grips with the region's debt crisis, the industry's leading trade group warned on Wednesday.

Whether it's running a multinational company or a family business, being the CEO requires a special set of skills. The demands are even greater for those taking the helm at a struggling company.