7 Travel Stories You May Have Missed This Week

Though FlyerTalk attempts to cover a full range of stories, every week a few fall through the cracks. Here are 7 stories we didn’t get around to writing, but are still worth knowing.

1. “Thoughtful” Pilot Diverts Plane over Active Volcano

An Icelandair pilot treated passengers to the scenic route on Wednesday with a slight detour around Iceland’s Bardarbunga volcano. Passengers snapped pictures as the pilot took an extra circle around the active volcano, which has been fluctuating between red and orange aviation alerts since last month. On social media, passengers described the pilot as “thoughtful” and shared their pictures of the spectacle. Icelandair even shared one passenger’s picture on its official Twitter.

2. U.S. Department of Transportation Rejects Norwegian Air Bid for U.S.-Europe Flights

The third-largest discount carrier in Europe, Norwegian Air Shuttle, had its request to immediately begin operating flights between the United States and Europe rejected by the Department of Transportation (DOT) on Tuesday. The DOT said it is still reviewing the carrier’s application for the new service, but due to the “extensive record, which reflects the novel and complex nature of this case,” an exemption was not “appropriate or in the public interest.” Airlines and pilot unions, both in the United States and Europe, opposed the carrier’s request and argue that it is trying to circumvent European labor laws.

3. Malaysia Airlines Launches, Abruptly Renames “Bucket List” Promotion

Embattled Malaysia Airlines invited Australian and New Zealand travelers to share their list of things to do before they die as part of the carrier’s “My Ultimate Bucket List” contest. In 500 words or less, travelers were asked to answer: “What and where would you like to tick off on your bucket list, and explain why?” The contest sparked outcry on social media, with users criticizing the contests as insensitive given the tragedies suffered by the carrier this year. Malaysia Airlines renamed the contest “Win an iPad or Malaysia Airlines flight to Malaysia” and apologized for the original name, which it has since admitted was “inappropriate.”

4. Alaska Airlines Offers Perks to Seahawks Fans

Travelers that show up to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) for their departing Alaska Airlines flight can now enjoy early boarding privileges simply by wearing the No. 3 jersey of Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. The promotion kicked off Thursday in time for the beginning of the NFL season and will last through the end of the season. Alaska is also offering discounted fares for flights to away games in San Diego, Washington D.C., St. Louis, Kansas City and Philadelphia. Wilson has been named “Chief Football Officer” by Alaska, and he appears regularly in the carrier’s commercials.

5. World’s Largest Duty-Free Shop Opens in China

The Haitang Bay duty-free shopping center opened its doors Monday in Sanya, a resort town located in China’s south-eastern province of Hainan. Spanning more than 753,000 square feet and housing nearly 300 brands, the complex is part of an effort to turn the island into a world-class tourist destination. It is operated by the China Duty Free Group and cost $814 million to construct. Tourists are currently allowed to make duty-free purchases twice a year, but must adhere to a spending limit of around $1,300. The Hainan Tourism Development Commission estimated the complex will see 40 million overnight tourists in 2014 alone.

6. Ryanair, Aegean Submit Proposals for Cyprus Airways

In July, companies were invited by the Cypriot state — owner of more than 90 percent of their struggling airline — to submit expressions of interest for Cyprus Airways. According to Cyprus’ transport minister, Marios Demetriades, “more than half” of the 15 that expressed interest in the airline had submitted non-binding business proposals by the Wednesday deadline. One-third of the parties that submitted proposals were airlines, Demetriades confirmed, adding that Ryanair and Aegean were among them. A government-appointed commission will review the proposals and invite selected parties to submit binding offers.

7. WestJet Warns of Phone Scam

A phone scam has WestJet cautioning Canadians. According to WestJet’s manager of public relations, Robert Palmer, a pre-recorded message fools people into thinking the airline is behind the call and offering rewards for participation. Unsuspecting victims are then tricked into providing their credit card information. Palmer described the phishing scam as “a big headache” and said WestJet isn’t the only company name being used by the fraudsters.

[Photo: Twitter/Icelandair]