The map above shows the shortest scheduled passenger flight in the world is between the Orkney islands of Westray and Papa Westray in northern Scotland, the flight is 1.7 miles (2.7 km) long and takes around 1 minute!
But why does it exist?
The flight between Westray and Papa Westray exists mainly because it’s the most practical way to connect the two very small, remote islands.
Here’s the short version:
- Distance is tiny, but conditions aren’t: The islands are only about 1.7 miles (2.7 km) apart, but the waters between them can be rough, windy, and unpredictable, making regular ferry service less reliable for such a short crossing.
- Population is very small: Papa Westray has only a few dozen residents. Building and maintaining a bridge would be extremely expensive relative to the number of people using it.
- Ferry isn’t efficient enough: There is a ferry, but it’s slower and not always ideal for urgent trips like medical visits, school travel, or mail delivery.
- Flights are fast and flexible: The flight (operated by Loganair) takes under two minutes, making it the shortest scheduled commercial flight in the world. It’s quick, relatively cost-effective, and fits the needs of the community.
In short, the flight exists because it’s the cheapest and most reliable solution for such a small, remote population, even if it seems unusual given the short distance.
10 Fun facts About the route
- It’s incredibly short: As mentioned abovetThe route is just 1.7 miles (2.7 km) long, roughly the same as the runway at Edinburgh Airport!
- It’s the shortest scheduled flight in the world: The journey can take under a minute, with a record of 53 seconds.
- Flights run daily: Services operate every day, but with different directions on weekends.
- Weekend flights are one-way only: Saturdays have flights from Westray to Papa Westray, while Sundays go the opposite direction.
- A record-setting pilot flew it most: Stuart Linklater completed over 12,000 flights on this route before retiring in 2013.
- It mainly serves locals and students: Many passengers are school groups visiting archaeological sites on Papa Westray.
- It’s also used for healthcare access: Residents (around 90 people) rely on it for medical trips and visiting professionals.
- Tourists ride it for the novelty: The route attracts visitors wanting to experience the world’s shortest commercial flight.
- Passenger numbers are modest: The route carries about 5,000 passengers per year.
- It uses a rugged small aircraft: Flights are operated by Loganair using the Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander, chosen for its ability to handle short runways and harsh weather.
Have you ever taken it?
Leave a Reply