The Shortest Commercial Flight is Only 47 Seconds

Sometimes the DC to Philadelphia flight feels like it’s the shortest flight in the world.  By the time you make it to cruising altitude, the descent starts.  But that’s not the world’s shortest commercial flight–by far.

The real shortest flight is Westray to Papa Westray in Scotland’s Orkney Islands, a journey which can take as little as 47 seconds.

Papa Westray

From the Telegraph:

The distance between the two locations stands at slightly more than a mile and can be travelled in as little as 47 seconds depending on the direction of the wind.

The Scottish airline has been running the world’s shortest flight since the start of its inter-island service in the region in 1967. The flight between Westray and Papa Westray is currently priced at £21 return.

As for the flight itself, you don’t need to travel to Scotland to experience it.  Just watch this YouTube clip.

Even beyond the novelty of watching the world’s shortest commercial flight, it’s worth a view.  The sights below are just fantastic.

About Jeanne Marie Hoffman

Former bartender, still a geek. One equal part each cookies, liberty, football, music, travel, libations. Stir vigorously. +Jeanne Marie Hoffman Jeanne on Twitter

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One comment

  1. Hey, Geek — you did not even comment on the optical illusion of what appears to be the propellor stopping in mid-flight.

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