A travel booking system handles special requests and preferences by:

. Customizable Booking Options: Allows users to specify and select preferences such as seating, meal choices, and room types during the booking process.

. Request Management Features: Includes tools for managing and processing special requests, ensuring that they are communicated to service providers and accommodated.

. Integration with Service Providers: Interfaces with airlines, hotels, and other service providers to relay special requests and ensure that they are fulfilled.

. User Profiles: Stores user preferences and past requests in profiles, enabling quicker and more accurate handling of future bookings.

. Automated Notifications: Sends notifications and confirmations to users regarding the status of their special requests and preferences.

Overall, customizable booking options, request management features, integration with service providers, user profiles, and automated notifications are key methods for handling special requests and preferences in travel booking systems.