The World's Shortest Flight Lasts Less Than 1 Minute; Check Route

Imagine waiting in line at the airport, taking your seat, and hearing the engines start up. Before you even finish a bag of peanuts, you’ve already landed.

It might sound like a joke, but for people travelling between two small islands in Scotland, this is an everyday experience. The flight is the world’s shortest scheduled route, covering only 1.7 miles of water.

Operated by Loganair, the flight is between Westray and Papa Westray. It’s scheduled to take 90 seconds, but with good wind, the fastest trip in the air has been just 53 seconds.

But do you know what’s fascinating? That people choose to fly instead of swim. Why? In this article, we’ll explore the history of this short flight, why locals depend on it, and what it’s like to travel in a plane that’s smaller than most living rooms.

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Which is the Shortest Flight Route in the World?

The world’s shortest commercial flight is a legendary "hop" in Scotland’s Orkney Islands. Operated by Loganair, this route connects the islands of Westray and Papa Westray.

The distance is only 1.7 miles, about as long as a single runway at a big airport like Heathrow. The schedule lists the flight as two minutes, but it usually takes just 90 seconds in the air.

With a strong tailwind, the fastest time recorded is only 53 seconds. Locals often pick this flight instead of the 25-minute ferry because the sea can be rough and unpredictable.

Plus, the rough, cold Atlantic waters make swimming impossible, making this flight a vital lifeline for the 90 residents to access schools and healthcare.

5 Fascinating Facts about the Westray Hop

• It has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's shortest domestic scheduled flight since it first launched in September 1967.
• The flight uses a Britten-Norman Islander, a STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft.
• It is designed with a high wing and rugged landing gear to handle the short, often grassy runways and intense crosswinds of the North Atlantic.
• A single pilot operates the 8-seat aircraft. 
• Because the plane is so small, there is no cockpit door, allowing passengers in the front row to watch the pilot’s every move throughout the "flight".
• Interestingly, the aircraft often spends more time taxiing on the ground and performing safety checks than it actually spends in the air.
• The 1.7-mile distance is roughly equivalent to the length of about 30 football fields laid end-to-end.
• The 53-second record was achieved with the help of a strong tailwind. 
• Because the islands are so close, the aircraft rarely reaches a high altitude, usually staying below 300 feet.

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Quick Facts

Conclusion

Source: Wikimedia Commons

The Westray to Papa Westray flight is more than a quirky travel record. It shows how aviation can connect even the most remote places. In under a minute, this small plane covers a distance that would otherwise mean a cold, rough boat trip.

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