MADISON, Wis. -- Madison moved a little closer to the East Coast Monday.

American Airlines launched its first flight from Dane County Regional Airport to New York LaGuardia.

The service will run Sunday through Friday with one flight to and from the Big Apple each day.

County Executive Kathleen Falk said the flight would be a boon for area business and academics.

"Most of the venture capital in the country is on the coasts and to have nonstop access for those venture capitalists to come here and meet with our companies, get to know them, fund them, it's very important," said UW Chancellor John Wiley.

The UW has 3,000 students who are from New York.

Those in attendance at the news conference Monday also say Madison's arts community will benefit from the new connection.

It will allow more guest performing artists and local arts managers.

Flying time from Madison to New York is 2 hours and 20 minutes.