A 16.5-meter inflatable rubber duck created by a Dutch artist mysteriously deflated and bobbed lifelessly in Victoria Harbour. It's Asia tour continued to Taiwan, where it exploded after an attempt to inflate it too quickly ended in tragedy.
31. Giant rubber duck deflates, explodes —
A 16.5-meter inflatable rubber duck created by a Dutch artist mysteriously deflated and bobbed lifelessly in Victoria Harbour. It's Asia tour continued to Taiwan, where it exploded after an attempt to inflate it too quickly ended in tragedy.
jason kwok/cnn
A photo of man a bound to his seat on an Iceland Air flight made social media rounds. The man, apparently inebriated, was "hitting, screaming and spitting at other passengers," said the airline, adding that duct tape and plastic zip ties are standard protocol when restraining unruly passengers.
30. Passenger taped to seat —
A photo of man a bound to his seat on an Iceland Air flight made social media rounds. The man, apparently inebriated, was "hitting, screaming and spitting at other passengers," said the airline, adding that duct tape and plastic zip ties are standard protocol when restraining unruly passengers.
For those sick of baggage fees there's now Jaktogo, a jacket covered in pockets allowing passengers to pack everything into their coats. Adios, luggage fees. And pride.
29. "Wearable luggage" debuts —
For those sick of baggage fees there's now Jaktogo, a jacket covered in pockets allowing passengers to pack everything into their coats. Adios, luggage fees. And pride.
jaktogo
In May, an American Airlines flight from LA to NYC made an unscheduled stop in Kansas City to offload a passenger who wouldn't stop singing "I Will Always Love You."
28. 'I will always love you' marathon —
In May, an American Airlines flight from LA to NYC made an unscheduled stop in Kansas City to offload a passenger who wouldn't stop singing "I Will Always Love You."
Engrossed in Facebook, a tourist in Melbourne, Australia, walked off the end of the St. Kilda pier (pictured). When police rescued her -- oh, yeah, she couldn't swim -- she was still clutching her phone.
27. Facebook addict walks off pier —
Engrossed in Facebook, a tourist in Melbourne, Australia, walked off the end of the St. Kilda pier (pictured). When police rescued her -- oh, yeah, she couldn't swim -- she was still clutching her phone.
Scott Barbour/Getty Images/File
Injuries to idiots/daredevils who ran with the bulls in Spain's annual festival included an Australian gored in the chest and American who suffered a "perforated rectum." Numerous bulls also sustained fatal injuries.
26. Injuries, indignities in Pamplona —
Injuries to idiots/daredevils who ran with the bulls in Spain's annual festival included an Australian gored in the chest and American who suffered a "perforated rectum." Numerous bulls also sustained fatal injuries.
alvaro berriento/ap
In August, Paris police said petty crimes against Chinese tourists had jumped 22% as local crooks targeted the presumably naïve group. In September, authorities announced not-so-green-after-all Chinese visitors were behind thousands of fake tickets in a Louvre scam.
25. Paris vs. Chinese Tourists: 1-1 —
In August, Paris police said petty crimes against Chinese tourists had jumped 22% as local crooks targeted the presumably naïve group. In September, authorities announced not-so-green-after-all Chinese visitors were behind thousands of fake tickets in a Louvre scam.
eric feferberg/getty images
After losing a bet, Sir Richard Branson donned a flight attendant's skirt and high heels, then served drinks and chatted up passengers on an AirAsia X flight. The photos still haunt all who have been exposed to them. (Sorry.)
24. 'Flight attendant' Branson does drag —
After losing a bet, Sir Richard Branson donned a flight attendant's skirt and high heels, then served drinks and chatted up passengers on an AirAsia X flight. The photos still haunt all who have been exposed to them. (Sorry.)
tony ashey/afp/getty images
All 35 passengers on a US Airways flight stormed off the plane in solidarity after Albert Rizzi, a blind man, and his dog, Doxy, were escorted off the flight after a heated exchange between Rizzi and a flight attendant about where his dog should sit, according to Rizzi.
23. Blind man, guide dog booted off plane —
All 35 passengers on a US Airways flight stormed off the plane in solidarity after Albert Rizzi, a blind man, and his dog, Doxy, were escorted off the flight after a heated exchange between Rizzi and a flight attendant about where his dog should sit, according to Rizzi.
U.S. tourist Lindsay Crumbley Scallan lost her camera in Hawaii in August 2007. It washed up in March in Taiwan, and was found by two China Airlines' staff. Using Facebook, the airline tracked down Scallan and returned the still-working camera.
22. Camera recovered after five years in Pacific —
U.S. tourist Lindsay Crumbley Scallan lost her camera in Hawaii in August 2007. It washed up in March in Taiwan, and was found by two China Airlines' staff. Using Facebook, the airline tracked down Scallan and returned the still-working camera.
courtesy china airlines
A nine-year-old traveling alone, apparently without a ticket, sailed through security at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, and hopped on a Delta Air Lines flight for Las Vegas.
21. Boy hops plane to Vegas sans ticket —
A nine-year-old traveling alone, apparently without a ticket, sailed through security at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, and hopped on a Delta Air Lines flight for Las Vegas.
BBC Worldwide sold guidebooks publisher Lonely Planet for $75 million to NC2 Media. The sale price was well below what BBC originally paid for Lonely Planet, a total of $210 million spread over four years starting in 2007.
20. BBC takes harsh toke for Lonely Planet —
BBC Worldwide sold guidebooks publisher Lonely Planet for $75 million to NC2 Media. The sale price was well below what BBC originally paid for Lonely Planet, a total of $210 million spread over four years starting in 2007.
CNN
At a bar in Dawson City, Yukon, the Sourtoe Cocktail includes a real amputated toe in the glass. Drinker's are supposed to let the toe graze their lips while drinking. But a visiting American downed his drink, toe and all.
19. Bar patron swallows human toe —
At a bar in Dawson City, Yukon, the Sourtoe Cocktail includes a real amputated toe in the glass. Drinker's are supposed to let the toe graze their lips while drinking. But a visiting American downed his drink, toe and all.
courtesy sourtoe cocktail club
A widely distributed photo of the seemingly able-bodied Canadian pop star hoisted on the shoulders of his lackeys at the iconic site invoked mockery worldwide.
18. Minions carry Bieber up Great Wall —
A widely distributed photo of the seemingly able-bodied Canadian pop star hoisted on the shoulders of his lackeys at the iconic site invoked mockery worldwide.
twitter/believetourupd
Upon landing at Jalaluddin Airport in Indonesia, a Lion Air Boeing 737 collided with and killed a cow that had wandered onto the runway. "Inadequate fencing" was blamed.
17. Boeing 737 murders cow —
Upon landing at Jalaluddin Airport in Indonesia, a Lion Air Boeing 737 collided with and killed a cow that had wandered onto the runway. "Inadequate fencing" was blamed.
didot/afp/getty images
The body of a Georgian national was found in a plane operated by Moscow-based iFly. Investigators said the body of the presumed stowaway had been in the wheel well for four days, during which time the plane made seven flights.
16. Dead man makes seven flights —
The body of a Georgian national was found in a plane operated by Moscow-based iFly. Investigators said the body of the presumed stowaway had been in the wheel well for four days, during which time the plane made seven flights.
courtesy pavel adchigildaev
In May, more than 80 baggage handlers working for Italian airline Alitalia were arrested for allegedly stealing items from passengers' luggage.
15. Alitalia employees arrested for baggage theft —
In May, more than 80 baggage handlers working for Italian airline Alitalia were arrested for allegedly stealing items from passengers' luggage.
Claudio Villa/Getty Images
The Skywhale, a curiously designed 34-meter-long hot air balloon, was commissioned by Canberra as part of its 2013 centenary celebrations. One observer called it "a whale with a deformed scrotum."
14. Airborne monstrosity creeps out Canberra —
The Skywhale, a curiously designed 34-meter-long hot air balloon, was commissioned by Canberra as part of its 2013 centenary celebrations. One observer called it "a whale with a deformed scrotum."
courtesy mark chew
Making a rapid descent, a Southwest Airlines pilot's intercom chatter shocked passengers. "The panicked captain said, 'We're in trouble; we're going down,'" a passenger told CNN. The Boeing 737 leveled out and made an emergency landing at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Southwest said the passenger's report was inaccurate.
13. Pilot reportedly announces "We're going down!" —
Making a rapid descent, a Southwest Airlines pilot's intercom chatter shocked passengers. "The panicked captain said, 'We're in trouble; we're going down,'" a passenger told CNN. The Boeing 737 leveled out and made an emergency landing at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Southwest said the passenger's report was inaccurate.
A group of Russian photographers ignored regulations, climbed the Pyramids at Giza, Egypt, and came away with spectacular photos. The pics incited indignation over the protection of the ancient wonders.
12. Russian trespassers climb Pyramids —
A group of Russian photographers ignored regulations, climbed the Pyramids at Giza, Egypt, and came away with spectacular photos. The pics incited indignation over the protection of the ancient wonders.
courtesy dedmaxopka@gmail.com
National backlash erupted when a Chinese tourist carved his name on Egypt's 3,500-year-old Luxor Temple; then Chinese tourists posed giddily with a dying dolphin in southern China. Vice Premier Wang Yang called on citizens to improve their manners and project a "good image of Chinese tourists."
11. Chinese tourists told to behave —
National backlash erupted when a Chinese tourist carved his name on Egypt's 3,500-year-old Luxor Temple; then Chinese tourists posed giddily with a dying dolphin in southern China. Vice Premier Wang Yang called on citizens to improve their manners and project a "good image of Chinese tourists."
courtesy weibo.com/u/1440641483
A man and woman were each fined $250 for allegedly engaging in oral sex in front of passengers on a flight to Las Vegas. "This is not the sex education I wanted to give my teenage sons," said one passenger. The sons were not available for comment.
10. Couple fined for inflight sex —
A man and woman were each fined $250 for allegedly engaging in oral sex in front of passengers on a flight to Las Vegas. "This is not the sex education I wanted to give my teenage sons," said one passenger. The sons were not available for comment.
getty images/file
The Neighborhood Board in popular beach town Kailua asked Hawaii's Tourism Authority to respect its quality of life and "immediately stop promoting Kailua as a tourist destination and an alternative to Waikiki."
9. Hawaiian town sick of tourists —
The Neighborhood Board in popular beach town Kailua asked Hawaii's Tourism Authority to respect its quality of life and "immediately stop promoting Kailua as a tourist destination and an alternative to Waikiki."
mandel ngan/afp/getty images
At Emoya Luxury Hotel in South Africa, guests stay in facsimile shacks made of corrugated iron. "Now you can experience staying in a Shanty within the safe environment. ... This is the only Shanty Town in the world equipped with under-floor heating and wireless internet access!" reads the Shanty Town homepage.
8. Slum-themed hotel opens —
At Emoya Luxury Hotel in South Africa, guests stay in facsimile shacks made of corrugated iron. "Now you can experience staying in a Shanty within the safe environment. ... This is the only Shanty Town in the world equipped with under-floor heating and wireless internet access!" reads the Shanty Town homepage.
courtesy emoya shanty town hotel
In September, fares on some domestic flights were displayed on United Airlines' website as $0, plus $5 tax, for about 15 minutes. United blamed human error and said it would honor the free fares.
7. United sells free tickets on website —
In September, fares on some domestic flights were displayed on United Airlines' website as $0, plus $5 tax, for about 15 minutes. United blamed human error and said it would honor the free fares.
david mcnew/getty images
A Thai Airways Airbus that skidded off a runway in Bangkok had its logos painted over by workers after the accident. The airline said it merely invoked an industry standard "crisis communication rule" in obscuring the logos.
6. Thai Airways blacks out logos —
A Thai Airways Airbus that skidded off a runway in Bangkok had its logos painted over by workers after the accident. The airline said it merely invoked an industry standard "crisis communication rule" in obscuring the logos.
pornchai kittwongsakul/afp/getty images
In March, a Norwegian economist said air fares based on a passenger's weight "may provide significant benefits to airlines, passengers and society at large." In April, Samoa Air said its new pay-by-weight policy was fair and the future for other airlines.
5. "Fat tax" debate gets heavy —
In March, a Norwegian economist said air fares based on a passenger's weight "may provide significant benefits to airlines, passengers and society at large." In April, Samoa Air said its new pay-by-weight policy was fair and the future for other airlines.
tim boyle/getty images
In an apparent joke (blamed on an intern), a Bay Area TV station used incorrect and racially offensive names to identify pilots of an Asiana Airlines flight that crashed in San Francisco. Following the accident, a United Airlines employee and his fiancee allegedly stole luggage collected from the flight.
4. Racial slurs, theft trail Asiana tragedy —
In an apparent joke (blamed on an intern), a Bay Area TV station used incorrect and racially offensive names to identify pilots of an Asiana Airlines flight that crashed in San Francisco. Following the accident, a United Airlines employee and his fiancee allegedly stole luggage collected from the flight.
from david eun/path
In June, the fugitive contractor who exposed U.S. surveillance programs fled Hong Kong (where he'd been since May) for Russia, reportedly seeking asylum in Ecuador. After more than a month trapped in a Moscow airport he was granted asylum in Russia.
3. Edward Snowden, 2013's most infamous traveler —
In June, the fugitive contractor who exposed U.S. surveillance programs fled Hong Kong (where he'd been since May) for Russia, reportedly seeking asylum in Ecuador. After more than a month trapped in a Moscow airport he was granted asylum in Russia.
philippe lopez/afp/getty images
In January, after problems involving Boeing 787 Dreamliners operated by multiple airlines -- battery fire, leaking oil, brake issues, computer glitches, emergency landing -- aviation authorities around the world ordered airlines to stop flying the highly touted new aircraft. Dreamliner flights resumed in May after fixes, but troubles persisted.
2. Dreamliner fleet grounded —
In January, after problems involving Boeing 787 Dreamliners operated by multiple airlines -- battery fire, leaking oil, brake issues, computer glitches, emergency landing -- aviation authorities around the world ordered airlines to stop flying the highly touted new aircraft. Dreamliner flights resumed in May after fixes, but troubles persisted.
After five days listing in the Gulf of Mexico, the disabled Carnival Triumph cruise ship limped into port. During the ordeal urine and feces streamed down halls and walls after toilet facilities failed, inspiring the scatological two-word epigram for which the trip will always be remembered.
1. Poop cruise —
After five days listing in the Gulf of Mexico, the disabled Carnival Triumph cruise ship limped into port. During the ordeal urine and feces streamed down halls and walls after toilet facilities failed, inspiring the scatological two-word epigram for which the trip will always be remembered.