Plane facts: The shortest flight in the world

Most passengers complain about long-haul travel. But somewhere in Scotland, a flight takes off, climbs, and lands again in under 90 seconds. The Westray to Papa Westray route in Orkney holds the Guinness World Record for the shortest scheduled commercial flight on earth, covering just 2.7 km. You board, buckle up, and you've arrived.

Here's everything you need to know about this remarkable route, plus a handful of other flights around the world that make a standard city hop feel like a transatlantic marathon.

What counts as the world's shortest flight?

There are different ways to measure "shortest": by distance, by scheduled time, or by actual airtime. On all three counts, the Westray to Papa Westray service in Scotland's Orkney Islands comes out on top for scheduled commercial flights.

By contrast, the shortest international commercial flight (by distance) runs between Brazzaville in Congo and Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a 24 km hop that still takes around 50 minutes in the air due to formalities and routing.

Westray to Papa Westray: the record holder

The Loganair route between Westray Airport and Papa Westray Airport was inaugurated on 4 December 1967 and has held the world record ever since.

How long does the flight actually take?

The scheduled flight time is one and a half minutes. In practice, it's closer to one minute of actual flying. The standing record, set by retired pilot Stuart Linklater, is 53 seconds. Roughly the time it takes to make a cup of tea.

The route covers 1.7 miles (2.7 km). For comparison, that's about the same distance as the runway at Edinburgh Airport.

Who operates it and why does it exist?

Loganair, Scotland's regional airline, has operated this route continuously since 1967. The Orkney Islands Council subsidises it as a public service obligation. This is a genuine lifeline for the island's roughly 90 residents, not a tourist gimmick.

The service runs on a Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander, a twin-propeller aircraft with eight passenger seats. As of 2024, the route carries approximately 5,000 passengers per year. Passengers include students visiting Papa Westray's 60+ archaeological sites, health professionals making medical visits, and a growing number of tourists keen to say they've taken the world's shortest flight. Loganair's contract to operate the service runs through March 2029.

Other remarkably short commercial flights

Westray to Papa Westray may hold the overall record, but it's not the only blink-and-you've-landed experience in commercial aviation. Here are some of the shortest international routes currently operating, according to OAG data:

A few things stand out. The Brazzaville to Kinshasa route deploys a full Boeing 737-800 for a 24 km journey, yet still takes 50 minutes due to border formalities and routing. At the other extreme, you can take a six-seater Cessna from Botswana to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Distance and aircraft choice tell very different stories. 

Are you also curious about what the longest flight in the world is? Check out our list of the longest flights in the world.

Do passenger rights apply on short flights?

Yes. The length of a flight does not determine whether you're covered by passenger rights legislation. However, for flights of under 1 500 km, the maximum compensation amount you can get is €250.

Under EU261, if your flight arrives more than three hours late at your final destination, is cancelled with less than 14 days' notice, or you're denied boarding, you may be entitled to financial compensation. This applies whether you're flying a 2.7 km island hop or a transcontinental route.

What matters is where the flight departs from and which airline it is operated by. Your flight is covered by the EU261 if your flight departs from a European country or is operated by a European airline.

If your flight was disrupted and you're unsure whether you have a valid claim, AirRefund.com/en can assess your eligibility quickly.

Check your eligibility with AirRefund.com/en — no win, no fee.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Westray to Papa Westray flight still running?

Yes. Loganair continues to operate the service daily, with bidirectional flights on weekdays and unidirectional on weekends. The contract runs through March 2029, and a third Islander aircraft is expected to join the fleet by summer 2026.

What is the shortest international flight in the world?

By distance, it's the route between Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo and Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, just 24 km. Despite the short distance, the scheduled flight time is around 50 minutes due to routing and border formalities.

What aircraft operates the world's shortest flight?

The Westray to Papa Westray service is flown on a Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander, a twin-engine propeller aircraft with eight passenger seats. It has operated the route since the flight launched in 1967.

Are short flights covered by passenger rights regulations?

Yes. Flight distance does not exclude you from EU261. If your short flight is delayed by more than three hours at arrival, cancelled with less than 14 days' notice, or you're denied boarding, you may be entitled to compensation under UK261 or EU261, depending on where the flight departs and who operates it.

Can I claim compensation if my short flight is delayed?

Potentially, yes. Eligibility depends on the delay length at arrival (more than three hours), the route, the airline, and the reason for the disruption. Extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or air traffic control strikes generally exclude a claim. If you're unsure, check your eligibility with AirRefund.com/en.