The Scottish Isles offer some of the most spectacular vistas in the country, with some boasting views like the Caribbean with its bright blue waters and white sand beaches. Home to 790 islands, only few are inhabited, with transport proving to be more difficult. While commuters can hop on a ferry instead of a flight, the sea can quickly turn rough with strong winds and unpredictable weather. Well, here comes the shortest flight in the world to the rescue, only taking 53 seconds!
Flying just 1.9 miles, the shortest flight in the world is between Orkney Islands Westray and Papa Westray. Operated by Loganair, the route has been operational since 1967.
How long does the world’s shortest flight really take?
While the scheduled journey time is 90 seconds, the flight’s record time to date is set to just 53 seconds. If we take pushing back and taxiing into account, the total time is still just two minutes. Now that sounds much better than a ferry ride through the choppy seas, indeed!
The (short) flying experience
Having to be at the airport a couple of hours before one’s flight can be daunting, with plenty of queuing and sitting around. However, the world’s shortest flight is more like a bus ride, eliminating the need for an arduous airport experience. The flight is operated on a Britten-Norman Islander, flown by a single pilot and fitting only eight passengers.
The flight route starts at Kirkwall Airport, stopping over at Westray before completing the shortest flight in the world to Papa Westray. Moreover, passengers who are flying straight from Westray and have luggage only need to arrive 10 minutes before the flight to check it in.
Why does the shortest flight in the world exist?
As small island communities, Westray is home to 600 people, whole Papa Westray boasts a population of 90. As the only way to get to more populated areas like Kirkwall would be a 20-minute ferry, the islanders need a more reliable way to commute. The seas are often choppy, and the weather is unreliable in Orkney, so the flight is well-used by the locals.
What is more, the flights are funded by the Scottish Government as Public Service Obligations (PSOs), with there being talks of a new bridge being built between the two isles. However, no plans have yet been made to realise the project.
Public Service Obligations (PSOs) are there to provide “lifeline air services” to local communities and give them vital connectivity to civilisation. These flights are not profitable to airlines, but are essential, nevertheless. Similar routes also include Glasgow to Barra, the world’s only beach airport.