The world’s shortest commercial flight takes place between the two Orkney Islands, Westray and Papa Westray, just north of Scotland, separated by a distance of only 1.7 miles. Operated by Loganair, the flight duration is officially two minutes, but under ideal wind condition can be completed in only 47 seconds. Tickets are priced at about $30 per passenger with no in-flight service. According to reports published in The Daily Mail, about 30 percent of the service’s passengers are associated with the Orkney Islands Council’s education service, while many others are health staff and patients of the Scottish National Health Service. The island of Papa Westray is home to just over 70 people, and 60 archaeological sites.
Loganair, which has flown the route since the 1960s, introduced a popular flight for tourists in 2011. The special flights fly a couple days each week in the summer for folks who just want the flight and then to get back to the Orkney Mainland rather than stay out on the islands.
Flight taking off from Papa Westray. Photo credit
Papa Westray Airport terminal. Photo credit
You can watch the entire flight in the video below.