The shortest commercial flight in the world is in Scotland. Imagine a flight that’s shorter than a typical taxi ride, with a duration of just two minutes from takeoff to touchdown. Welcome to the Westray to Papa Westray route in Scotland’s Orkney Islands, home to the shortest commercial flight in the world. Operated by Loganair, this brief but scenic journey covers a mere 2.7 kilometers (1.7 miles), making it a Guinness World Record holder since 1968. But what’s behind this unusual route, and what can passengers expect from this fleeting flight experience?
The shortest Flight in the world
The Loganair Westray to Papa Westray route is the shortest scheduled passenger flight in the world. Flights on the route are scheduled for one and a half minutes, and actual flying time is closer to one minute. The record for the fastest is 53 seconds. Loganair, a Scottish regional airline that serves Scotland’s Highlands and islands, flies the route. It is also part of a connector flight that links the island of Westray and the town of Kirkwall. The central and most populous town of the Orkney Islands.
Unlike most air travel, the shortest of all flights in the world acts more like a bus service. Passengers are flown in a Britten-Norman Islander. A plane which requires just one pilot and has a capacity of just eight passengers.
The route begins at Kirkwall Airport, stopping at Westray, then takes off for Papa Westray before heading back to Kirkwall. Essentially, if you’re flying between the islands you’re in an aircraft the size of a minibus, squished in with just a few other passengers who can hop off at the correct spot.
If you’re flying from Westray to the smaller island and have luggage, simply arrive ten minutes before departure to check your luggage.
Many tourists on social media have documented their time on the journey, such as TikToker Noel Philips.
He said: “The planes that serve these islands are quite small, they’re like getting onboard a minibus! You can’t take any hand baggage onboard, it all has to go in the boot when you get onboard.”
Flight numbers
Flights between Westray Airport and Papa Westray Airport occur daily in both directions. Except on Saturdays, when only flights from Westray to Papa Westray are available. And on Sunday, when only flights from Papa Westray to Westray are available. The total distance covered by the flights is 1.7 miles (2.7 km). This about the same length as the runway at Edinburgh Airport. The flights are always combined with flights from and to Kirkwall Airport (27 mi (43 km) distance), flying in a narrow triangle.
Pilot Stuart Linklater flew the short hop more than 12,000 times, more than any other pilot, before he retired in 2013. Linklater set the record for the fastest flight between the islands at 53 seconds.
The flight times and numbers change daily and repeat with a weekly cycle. Loganair Flight 702 departs from Westray Airport to Papa Westray Airport on Monday morning. Flight 705 returns to Westray that afternoon. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, the flight number to Papa Westray is 709. The return flight number is 711. On Wednesday, Flight 714 goes to Papa Westray and the Flight 711 comes back to Westray. Flight 720 is the Saturday flight from Westray to Papa Westray, and on Sundays. Flight 726 is the return flight to Westray.
Why does the flight between Westray and Papa Westray exist?
There have been criticisms of the flight due to the short distance it travels. But locals use them to connect with the more populated areas of the isles via Kirkwall. Westray has a population of just under 600 people, while Papa Westray – or Papay as it’s also known to locals – has around 90 people who call the isle home.
They are subsidised by the Scottish Government as Public Service Obligations (PSOs). This is for those living in island communities with the only alternative a 20 minute boat journey. Which can often face disruption due to rough waters.
In the past there have been suggestions that the council could build a bridge between the two isles. However there have been no recent plans on the matter.
How much do inter-island flights cost?
Those who hold a permanent address in Colonsay, Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles, Islay, Jura, Caithness and parts of Sutherland are entitled to 50% off of air travel.
For everyone else Loganair offers special fares through their inter-isle office such as senior citizen fares, sightseer fares and open returns with prices ranging from £17 to £45.
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