I think it's significant......
From reading darkufo postings, the creators of Lost have said this season is about how they get off the island... next season is why they need to get back, then the final season is what happens when they get back.

So, it would make sense that we see everyone off the island (in the next few ep's we'll figure how they got off) and the season will end with pleading to go back. Next season we'll see WHY they need to get back to the Island and how they find it....
and then a series finish of them getting back there and the events that occur once they are back.