Travel Roundup: Mirage CEO Retires, Air France Pilot Strike, Virgin Toilet-Pump Failure and More

(MoneyWatch)  MGM Mirage CEO retires before degree inflation story breaks -- Terrence Lanni, chief executive of MGM Mirage, announced his retirement Thursday amid rumors that he inflated his academic records. His retirement announcement came just hours before the Wall Street Journal published a report on inconsistencies in Lanni's corporate biography, which claims he earned a master's degree in finance, and University of Southern California records. A USC spokesman said that Lanni completed coursework towards the degree but never graduated. Lanni said he believed he was awarded an honorary degree in 1992, but corporate press release reported he received the degree in 1967. [Source: AP]

Air France flights halted as pilots strike -- About half of all Air France flights were canceled Friday due to pilots beginning a four-day strike protesting a proposal to raise retirement age from 60 to 65. The lost flights will cost Air France about $126 million and more cancellations could arise. The carrier agreed to compensate customers affected by the cancellations. [Source: Telegraph.co.uk]

Hot toilet pump causes emergency Virgin Atlantic landing -- A Virgin Atlantic flight from Miami to London carrying 349 people made an emergency landing in Wilmington, N.C. when the flight crew felt heat coming from the aircraft's floor. The passengers and flight crew were taken to local hotels early this morning after arriving at Wilmington International Airport late Thursday night. The heat turned out be caused by an overheating toilet pump. No injuries were reported. [Source: AP]

Northwest cancels Seattle-London flights after six months -- Northwest Airlines plans to end nonstop flights between Seattle and London Jan. 8, only six months after starting the route. Northwest, recently merged with Delta Air Lines, said that passengers holding reservations would be offered substitute flights via Amsterdam or Minneapolis-St. Paul. Those with tickets may choose a full refund. [Source: The Times (U.K.)]