Archive · 3 Jan 2026
World's Shortest Flight Connects Scottish Islands
There is a very short flight in Scotland that takes less than a minute and a half to go from one island to another.
The flight goes between Westray and Papa Westray, which are very close to each other.
The plane can hold up to 10 people and flies every day except Saturdays.
Some people think a bridge would be better, but the islands have few people, and a bridge would cost more than the flights.
The flight is like a quick bus or taxi for the people who live there.
The world's shortest scheduled flight operates between Westray and Papa Westray in Scotland's Orkney Islands.
The flight covers 2.7 km in 50 to 80 seconds, with a record time of 53 seconds.
Loganair operates the service daily except Saturdays using a Britten-Norman BN2B-26 Islander aircraft.
The combined population of the islands is 600, making a bridge less cost-effective than the flight service.
Passengers prefer the flight over ferry services due to its speed and convenience.
- Who
- Passengers traveling between Westray and Papa Westray
- What
- World's shortest scheduled flight
- When
- Operates daily except Saturdays
- Where
- Orkney Islands, Scotland
- Why
- Quick transportation for residents and tourists
- Route
- Westray to Papa Westray, Orkney Islands, Scotland
- Distance
- 2.7 km
- Flight Duration
- 50 to 80 seconds (record: 53 seconds)
- Operator
- Loganair
- Aircraft
- Britten-Norman BN2B-26 Islander
- Passenger Capacity
- Up to 10 passengers
- Population of Islands
- 600 (combined)