When travelling, we’d all like to click our fingers and instantly arrive at our destination, but on the world’s shortest plane route, it’s practically a reality.
While the world’s longest flight takes a grueling 19 hours, between New York and Singapore, the world’s shortest route takes just under two minutes.
The journey takes around 90 seconds and connects the islands of Westray and Papa Westray in Scotland’s Orkney archipelago.
The flight covers a mere 1.7 miles, roughly the same length as the runway at Edinburgh Airport, and it’s over long before most planes even reach cruising altitude, which typically takes 10-15 minutes.
The route has been operating since 1967 by the regional airline Loganair, and runs daily except on Saturdays.
Although it’s already an incredibly short flight, the quickest recorded flight time between Westray and Papa Westray is just 53 seconds.
Loganair pilot Stuart Linklater achieved the record, having flown the route over 12,000 times – more than any other pilot – before he retired in 2013.
The route forms part of an intra-aisle service, connecting the North Isles of Orkney to Kirkwall, the largest town of the archipelago and the main travel hub. The service includes the short 90 second flight, before heading onto Kirkwall (or vice versa).
Throughout the year, the route offers a crucial link between the islands. The aircraft – a Britten-Norman BN2B-26 – can seat up to 10 passengers and transport local community members such as police officers, doctors, teachers, and school pupils.
Loganair notes: ‘The services fulfill a year-round critical role in the delivery of education, healthcare, mail and other essential services to Orkney’s North Isles.’
However, the unique attraction has also become a popular tourist attraction – welcoming aviation enthusiasts from across the globe hoping to experience the short flight.
As a result, the islands have become a tourist destination, benefitting from the increased number of visitors.
Papa Westray, known locally as Papay, boasts dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches and a range of historical sites, including ancient stone circles and Viking ruins.
The remote island is one of Orkney’s smallest islands. It’s home to around 90 people and is around four miles long and one mile wide.
The Knap of Howar, a Neolithic farmstead which may be the oldest preserved stone house in Northern Europe, is described as a ‘must-see’ when visiting the island. Tripadvisor reviewers described it as ‘astonishing’ and a ‘magical place’.
Westray, meanwhile, is much larger, spanning 28 square miles and home to 600 residents.
It’s described as ‘the queen of the isles’, according to Visit Scotland and is home to stunning cliff landscapes, deserted beaches and archeological sites such as the 16th century Noltland Castle.
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One Tripadvisor reviewer described it as a ‘fabulous ruin’. They wrote: ‘Visited here whilst in Westray and thought it was great. Well kept and a hidden gem. If you are in Westray I would definitely recommend a visit.’
Although a popular attraction, flight tickets aren’t too pricey, with a one-way flight costing £17 on Loganair’s website.
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The ferry between the islands costs £2.95 but takes much longer, with a journey time of one hour and 45 minutes. It only operates twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
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