Most of us can just hop into a car or on a bus or train for short trips, but things are different on the islands of northern Scotland. The few people who call the Orkney Islands their home have only two options: a ferry ride over rough waters, or an incredibly short flight in a small plane. The second option is the most popular because the ferry can often face delays because of the choppy sea. By contrast, the flight between the Scottish islands of Westray and Papa Westray holds the world’s record for the shortest commercial flight, as the plane is usually in the air for just under 2 minutes. With favorable winds, it can be over in less than a minute. First established in 1967, the route covers a distance of just 1.7 miles, which is shorter than the runways at most major airports. Loganair passengers are flown in a small plane that only requires one pilot and has just eight seats. Needless to say, there’s no in-flight service available and you won’t have time to watch an in-flight movie……even if they had one. The flight between the two islands has been criticized as bad for the environment because of the short distance it covers, but for the 600 residents of Westray and the 90 residents of Papa Westray, it’s a vital link between their islands. For Orkney Islands residents, the flights are subsidized by the Scottish government, while tourists can expect to pay between $21 and $56.
