Southwest has a Love connection

SOUTHWEST Airlines last week began advertising service from Love Field near Dallas to 25 destinations, including Los Angeles, and put the routings on sale for $99 each way, raising hopes for an airfare war out of Dallas.

The fare is an introductory rate subject to availability. All flights are connecting or direct (one stop, no change of planes), said Southwest spokeswoman Whitney Eichinger. There are no nonstop flights.

Southwest previously offered the flights but was not allowed to advertise or sell them as single routings because of the Wright Amendment, which restricted its operations, Eichinger said.

After a campaign that pitted Southwest against American Airlines, based at the nearby Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Congress last month revised the amendment.

Besides LAX, California destinations include Oakland, Sacramento and San Diego.

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It’s back to New Orleans

IN another sign of the recovery of New Orleans’ tourist industry, NCL’s Norwegian Sun arrived last week as the first cruise ship to home-port in the Crescent City since Hurricane Katrina struck last year.

The 1,936-passenger ship will sail seven-day western Caribbean cruises out of New Orleans through April. Late next year, the Norwegian Spirit will take over.

Port calls include Costa Maya, Mexico; Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala; Belize City; and Cozumel, Mexico.

Fares this month begin at $349 per person. Post-cruise city tours of New Orleans are available at extra cost.