Imagine boarding a plane for a flight so short, it barely lasts the length of a song. Welcome to the world’s shortest commercial flight, a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it journey between two tiny Scottish islands, Westray and Papa Westray, in the Orkney archipelago. Covering just 1.7 miles (2.7 km), this flight is the ultimate experience in micro aviation, and it’s a vital part of life in this remote part of the world.
Inside The World’s Shortest Commercial Flight
For over 50 years, Loganair, a Scottish regional airline, has been offering this brief yet iconic service. The flight time? A mere 90 seconds, though it has been known to be completed in a record-breaking 53 seconds when conditions are favourable. In a way, it’s like hopping from one end of a runway to another.
The aircraft that operates this journey is a small but mighty plane, perfect for these short hops. With room for just eight passengers and a single pilot at the controls, it’s an intimate flying experience. The pilot’s seat is often the only one at the front of the plane, according to Simple Flying.
A Record-Breaking 1.7-Mile Adventure
While it may sound like a quirky novelty flight, this tiny airborne commute is a lifeline for locals. Teachers, police officers, doctors, and schoolchildren rely on this daily service to travel between the islands. For them, it’s less of a thrill and more of a routine necessity, connecting their quiet island homes to the mainland hub of Kirkwall and other outer Orkney islands.
According to Simple Flying, it’s all part of the broader Orkney Inter-Isles Air Service. It links six outer islands with the Orkney mainland, providing essential connectivity in a place where ferry services can be slow and weather-dependent. Tourists and aviation enthusiasts, on the other hand, see the flight as a bucket-list experience.
Loganair has exciting plans for the future of this route, including the introduction of electric planes to make these short trips even more sustainable. And while there’s talk of constructing land bridges between some of the islands, for now, the Westray-to-Papa Westray flight remains a charming and essential part of island life.
It’s not always about how long the journey is but the thrill of taking to the skies—even for just a minute!
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE. First Published: September 10, 2024 5:31 PM