World’s Shortest Flight: A 53-Second Journey Between Scottish Islands

When we hear about taking flights, we remember all those long airtime and tiring journeys, but amidst all of this pattern, the total air time of a Scottish flight is less than two minutes, which is lower than the time in which you can cook noodles. 

Moreover, some of the times because of the cold weather the time of this flight comes to less than a minute. The flights fly between two islands which are Westray and Papa Westray. And the fastest recorded flight on this route was just 53 seconds which was achieved by pilot Stuart Linklater. 

The flights between these two islands began in 1967 and then quickly broke the record for the World’s shortest scheduled flights. It flies from both destinations everyday, except for the Saturdays. 

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The total distance, from take off to landing, of this flight is just 2.7 kilometres, which is almost as long as the total length of the Edinburgh Airport. According to the reports, Stuart Linklater has recorded more than 12,000 flights on this route, which is more than any other pilot, even though he retired 11 years ago in 2013. The service forms part of a triangle route which also includes connections to Kirkwall, and the Britten-Norman BN2B-26 islander aircraft. 

Can only seat 10 passengers

The plane which was chosen for world’s shortest flight is Britten-Norman BN2B-26 islander aircraft. The seating capacity of this plane is just 10 passengers. And because of its small size, the passenger sitting on the front seats can look in the cockpit and see how the pilot is flying.  

The one point of this flight, which is Papa Westray, is a home to just 70 residents has a lot of dependency on this 1 minute flight. 

Over time, this brief flight has become popular among tourists seeking its unique, short journey. Lasting just around a minute, it offers passengers a quick glimpse into the peaceful life of the Orkney Islands, celebrated for their natural beauty and serene atmosphere.

Both locals and visitors enjoy breathtaking island views, providing a momentary escape from the hustle of modern life.