Discover the world's shortest scheduled commercial flight, including its Orkney route, distance, duration, aircraft and purpose.
The world’s shortest scheduled commercial flight is Loganair’s service between Westray and Papa Westray in Scotland’s Orkney Islands. The airports are about 1.7 miles (2.7 km) apart; the scheduled hop takes roughly two minutes, while favourable conditions can reduce the airborne time to under a minute.
In real-world aviation, this record is based on the length of a regular, publicly bookable passenger route. It is not the shortest charter flight, sightseeing trip or one-off aircraft movement.
How long is the Westray–Papa Westray flight?
The sector covers approximately 1.5 nautical miles and is timetabled at around two minutes. Actual take-off-to-landing time is often about 60 to 90 seconds, depending on wind, runway direction and traffic.
A 53-second crossing is widely cited as the fastest recorded time, but it should not be mistaken for the normal schedule. Sources often give different durations because some quote timetable or block time while others measure only the airborne portion.
Where does the world’s shortest airline route operate?
The flight crosses Papa Sound between Westray Airport (EGEW/WRY) and Papa Westray Airport (EGEP/PPW), north of the Scottish mainland. Both airports belong to the Orkney inter-island network.
Loganair normally operates the route with a small Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander. Its short-field capability and compact size suit the islands’ short runways, limited passenger demand and exposed weather conditions.
Why does such a short scheduled flight exist?
The route exists as a lifeline transport service rather than a record-setting attraction. It connects island residents with the wider Orkney network and access through Kirkwall, supporting education, healthcare, work and other essential travel.
The inter-island air service dates from 1967 and is publicly supported. A ferry connection also exists, but the aircraft provides a much faster link when schedules and weather permit.
Can anyone book the Westray to Papa Westray flight?
Yes, members of the public can book seats when the direct sector appears in the timetable and space is available. It is a genuine scheduled commercial service, not a private shuttle.
The direct leg operates only as part of selected inter-island rotations, and the order of stops can vary. Passengers should also expect stricter baggage and weight limits than on a conventional airliner, plus a greater risk of weather-related changes.
Can I recreate the shortest commercial flight in a simulator?
You can recreate the route by flying from EGEW to EGEP, or in the opposite direction, using visual navigation. Our FSX scenery covering Westray and Papa Westray airports provides both ends of the record-breaking route.
A Britten-Norman Islander is the authentic aircraft choice. If one is unavailable, this downloadable DHC-6 Twin Otter for FSX is a practical short-field substitute, although it is not the aircraft normally used on this particular sector.
A mistake we see in simulated attempts is selecting a runway purely because it points towards the destination. Use the runway appropriate for the wind, fly a controlled departure and set up a stable arrival; chasing the 53-second record usually produces an unrealistic approach.