The shortest flights in the world

Australia’s geographic location lends itself to some mammoth flight times. Often, what’s considered a ‘short’ flight for us is ‘long’ in other parts of the world! While it’s all relative, you may be interested to know what’s actually considered a short flight. So, we’ve rounded up some of the shortest flights in the world below.

Westray to Papa Westray, Scotland – 2.7 km

The shortest commercial flight in the world by duration is Loganair’s hop from Westray to Papa Westray, a small island off Scotland’s northeast coast.

The island is known for its rich natural landscapes, variety of wildlife, and often unpredictable weather. While ferries operate from the mainland to the island, this mode of transport is slow, infrequent, and highly weather-dependent. The short flight makes it easy for residents to commute between the island and the mainland, and allows essential services to be quickly transported. And, for tourists who want to discover Papa Westray’s diverse history, the Scottish regional airline allows for a speedy connection. Flights typically take around two minutes but as little as 57 seconds in favourable weather, making this one of the shortest flight times in the world.

Kegata to Apowo, Indonesia – 2.4 km

Located deep within the province of Papua, the two remote villages of Kegata and Apowo are surrounded by dense forests and steep mountains, making them nearly impossible to reach by land. But both villages have small airstrips, with the 2.4-kilometer flight between the two considered one of the world’s shortest.

This isn’t a commercial route. Rather, small single-engine aircraft operated by humanitarian organisations fly into these remote regions to provide vital services to residents. Missionary efforts also focus on the areas, with organisations using small planes to facilitate healthcare, religious services and education.

The distance may look short on a map, but a lack of efficient transport infrastructure means the two-minute flight between the villages’ airstrips is one of the only ways to access these areas.

Caye Caulker to Caye Chapel, Belize – 4 km

The small island of Caye Caulker off the coast of Belize is known for its motto ‘Go Slow’. But that’s not the case with its shortest flight – a quick hop to the nearby island of Caye Chapel.

Local airline Tropic Air connects the two Belizean islands with a commercial flight spanning just 4 kilometres. Backpackers often flock to Caye Caulker for its laid-back atmosphere and exhilarating diving and snorkelling scene, while Caye Chapel lures high-end travellers with its luxury resorts and golf course.

Can’t decide between the two? The flight only takes two minutes, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

Connemara to Inis Mór, Ireland – 16 km

Inis Mór is the largest of the three Aran Islands off the mainland of Ireland. Getting there can be tricky, and that’s why one of the world’s shortest flights covers this 16-kilometre stretch.

The rugged scenery of Inis Mór is a drawcard for visitors, with tourism being a significant part of the island’s economy. It’s famous for its seabirds, scenic landscapes and ancient ruins, and the Irish culture is well-preserved here. Flights from the coastal town of Connemara make it easy to access the island for both tourism and local connectivity.

The North Atlantic Ocean separates Inis Mór from Connemara. Ferries are an alternative mode of transport, but take longer and are less reliable during rough seas. Aer Arann Islands operates a commercial flight that connects the two destinations, with the journey taking around 10 minutes.

Karpathos to Kasos, Greece – 20 km

You’ve probably noticed a pattern by now – many of the world’s shortest flights operate to or from islands. That’s also the case with the 20-kilometre stretch between the islands of Karpathos and Kasos in Greece.

Tucked between Rhodes and Crete, the island of Karpathos boasts mountainous terrain, picturesque beaches and traditional villages. It relies heavily on tourism, with visitors flocking to enjoy its untouched nature. Southwest is the smaller island of Kasos, which is far quieter but has a similar charm. Both islands are especially popular during the summer months.

Sky Express, a Greek regional airline, operates this commercial route. While it provides essential connectivity between the islands for locals and tourists alike, it also reduces the travel time between the two. Ferries generally take several hours depending on the weather, which is particularly unfavourable during winter. But flying between the islands takes just 5-6 minutes, making this one of the shortest flights in the world.

Given that there are scores of commercial and non-commercial flights that operate across short distances, we haven’t covered all of the shortest flights in the world. And, while all of the flights above are domestic, there are certainly plenty of short international routes that also operate.

Now, it’s over to you – have you taken any of the world’s shortest flights above? What’s the shortest flight you’ve ever taken (or booked on points)? Let us know in the comments below!

Also read: Experience Business Class luxury to New York on the world’s longest flight

Featured image: Dimitris Kiriakakis, Unsplash