Modern aviation connects distant corners of the world within hours, oceans and continents covered in the space of a day. It also connects two small Scottish islands whose airfields are just 1.7 miles apart. With an estimated flight time of just 80 seconds, this is the shortest commercial flight in the world.
Scotland has nearly 800 islands in total, the vast majority of which are uninhabited and don’t need public transport links. Some, however, are populated, if only sparsely, and these isolated locals rely on a combination of ferries and planes to move between the islands or visit Great Britain’s mainland.
In Orkney, there is a particularly unique journey that is classified as the shortest non-stop flight in the world. Little more than a hop, it connects the islands of Westray and Papa Westray. Operated by the airline Loganair, it has now been running for the past 50 years, becoming an integral part of many passengers’ commute.
The idea of flying to work might sound like a hassle, but this is a smooth process that takes a matter of minutes. You can arrive and “check your luggage” in no time, and given the Britten-Norman Islander plane has a capacity of just eight passengers, you’re unlikely to get held up in long lines.
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On average, the flight lasts less than 90 seconds, and the record for quickest air time is just 53 seconds. Colin McAllister has been piloting these flights for the last half century, and credits community spirit with keeping the operation running smoothly over that time. As well as McAllister, there are firefighters and air traffic control operators ensuring the safety of the Loganair service.
Locals mainly use the flight to connect with the more populated areas of Orkney, as the plane then moves onto the town of Kirkwall. With a population of just 10,000, it’s not massive, but compared to the Westray and Papa Westray it’s a sprawling metropolis. Under 600 people live on Westray, and there are just 90 residents who call Papa Westray – or Papay – their home.
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