What % of CC booking do airlines get from CC company ? I had assummed that CC company hold a good % back until flight has occurred.
It varies massively from airline to airline, and indeed between the card companies. I don't recognise the previous answer given in any way.
Some airlines are on 100% withholding and funds are only released to them after the passenger has flown - I'd expect Norwegian (and maybe Virgin) to be in that position. Others receive funds within two to five days of the customer's transaction and I'd expect the likes of BA and easyJet to be in that position. The risk to the passenger doesn't change, as the card acquirer is carrying the risk between these extremes.
If you approach the CAA with an airline business plan, their second question (after "who are you" as the first) for some years has been "who will be doing your payment card processing". It's a major issue for the industry.