Sunday, December 22, 2024

Inside the world’s shortest flight – the journey takes just 1.5 minutes

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Fasten your seatbelts, make sure your window blinds are up and tray tables are stowed as you are about to board the world’s shortest flight which takes just 90 seconds. 

Established in 1967 Loganair operates the short hop between Scottish Islands Westray and Papa Westray.

The journey covered between the two islands is about 1.7 miles across the water,  roughly the length of the runway at the Edinburgh airport. 

While the operating time is about one and a half minutes, the actual flying time is about less than a minute.

The route begins at Kirkwall Airport, stopping at Westray, then takes off for Papa Westray before heading back to Kirkwall and is made two to three times daily.

Those travelling on this short hop should not expect a luxurious ride as there are no inflight facilities and if you need the toilet the only option is to cross your legs – if there is room too. Eight passengers squeeze inside the little aircraft with the pilot sitting just inches away.

Seat allocation is based on evenly distributing weight around the aeroplane.

Loganair operates this flight with one of its two Britten- Norman BN2B-26 Island aircraft which has a high-wing, twin piston engine and is a propeller-driven aircraft. It is flown by a single pilot.

Before retiring in 2013 Pilot Stuart Linklater flew the short hop more than 12,000 times. He set the record for the fastest flight between the islands at 53 seconds.

The island of Papa Westray only has a population of around 70, this flight serves as a crucial link of the island to the outside world. The route is also popular with tourists who seek to experience the incredibly short plane ride.

Schools also use this flight to study the 60 archaeological sites on Papa Westray. Known as the ‘Queen o’ the Isles’ Westray stuns visitors with its gorgeous coastline, stunning wildlife at the RSPB reserve, Noup Head lighthouse and Castle o’Burrian – a prime puffin-spotting destination in Orkney.

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