Allegiant Air will begin flights from Las Vegas to two college towns

Allegiant Travel Co.'s discount flier Allegiant Air will start routes from Las Vegas to two of the major college towns in the South.

On Nov. 16, Allegiant will launch two nonstops a week to Lexington, Ky., the home of the University of Kentucky, using one of the carrier's small group of Boeing 757s. The initial price will run as low at $210 round trip, not including taxes and fees. Several major carriers, by contrast, charge $328 for the same route.

Two days later, twice-weekly service will begin to Knoxville, Tenn., the home of the University of Tennessee. The introductory fare will run $220 round trip, compared with $262 for other airlines.

With the additions, Allegiant will connect 48 cities with McCarran International Airport. Through the first seven months of this year, Allegiant was the fourth-largest carrier in Las Vegas, with the passenger counts up 3.4 percent to 1.2 million.