Southwest to Start Service to Long Island

Southwest Airlines on March 14 will begin nonstop or connecting service to 33 cities, including Los Angeles, from MacArthur Airport in Islip on Long Island. The good news for Angelenos is that occasional sales by the low-cost airline may bring the LAX-Islip price as low as $99 one way (the airline’s unrestricted fare is $299). The bad news is that you’ll spend eight or more hours getting to Islip because Southwest doesn’t offer nonstop service on the route. Instead, the flights connect via Phoenix, Baltimore, Kansas City or Nashville; there’s also a flight with two stops but no change of planes. Reservations: telephone (800) 435-9792.