Travel Roundup: CityCenter To Hire 12,000, Century Plaza's Demolition, Airlines Lose Penalties and More

MGM Mirage to hire 12,000 for new CityCenter project – MGM Mirage Inc. reported it will hire 12,000 workers for its new CityCenter project on the Las Vegas Strip, and is asking more than 3,000 workers it laid off in the last year to apply.  CityCenter is a $9.2 billion development with a casino, luxury hotels, condos and shopping slated to open late next year. MGM Mirage’s recent sale of its Treasure Island property to Phil Ruffin for $775 million gave the company a needed $500 million in cash to continue the stalled project. [Source: Associated Press]

Los Angeles’ Century Plaza may be demolished — A developer wants to demolish the existing 726-room Century Plaza and create two skyscrapers with condos, retail, office space and a small luxury hotel. The $2 billion plan by developer Michael Rosenfeld  is still in front on the Los Angeles City Council, but has already received some support. Rosenfeld, who bought the property for $366.5 million in May, proposed two 600-foot towers — the tallest in the region, along with 100,000 square feet of office space, 106,000 square feet of retail and a 240-room hotel. The project will also have two acres of public gardens. The proposed project is expected to be completed in 2015. [Source: Los Angeles Times] 

Because of bad weather, airlines allow rebooking without penalty — Poor weather and thunderclouds around the country have at least one silver lining, airlines are allowing passengers to rebook flights without penalties. Continental Airlines will offer one free rebooking for travel to and from affected airports, including Newark Liberty International Airport through Dec. 26. United Airlines will also offer a similar feature for flights through New York, Philadelphia, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. Southwest is also allowing reticketing for several cities in the Midwest within two weeks of the original date of travel. Alaska Airlines reported it would allow rescheduling through Tuesday with no penalties or passengers can get a refund. [Source: Seattle Times]

JetBlue becomes official airline of the Boston Red Sox – JetBlue Airways Corp. announced its new role as official airline of the Boston Red Sox. In the new partnership, the airline will be part of marketing promotions and advertising through 2011, including print and online advertising, videoboards, contests, discounts and more. The carrier will also receive visibility at Fenway Park, including home plate and the outfield. [Source: JetBlue]