UK home to world’s shortest flight that takes a lot less time than making a Pot Noodle

The world’s shortest flight, lasting just a minute and a half, can be found in a remote but stunningly beautiful part of the UK, offering travellers a unique experience

The UK is home to the world’s shortest flight, that takes less time than making a pot noodle.

The Loganair Westray to Papa Westray route takes only one and a half minutes, however actual flying time is closer to one minute, making it the quickest flight on Earth. The fastest flight on the route took 53 seconds. In comparison, Pot Noodles should be left to cook for four minutes to achieve peak taste, according to the snack’s guidelines.

The route is operated by Loganair, a Scottish regional airline that serves Scotland’s Highlands and islands.

The journey between the Orkney Islands of Westray and Papa Westray in northern Scotland is a subsidised public service obligation and is part of a three airport loop that connects Westray Airport to Papa Westray Airport and to Kirkwall Airport.

Flights originally began in 1967 and established the record for the world’s shortest scheduled flights. The journey takes place daily in both directions, except for on Saturdays, when flights between Westray and Westray Papa are only available and Sundays, where flights are only available between Papa Westray to Westray.

The trip only covers 1.7 miles, which is approximately the same length as the runway at Edinburgh Airport. According to Wikipedia, Pilot Stuart Linklater has undertaken the short hope over 12,000 times, which is more than any other pilot. Stuart retired in 2013, but maintains the record for the fastest flight time.

The route serves mainly students and teachers who travel to study the 60 archaeological sites on Papa Westray. Sometimes it is also used by health professionals who need to provide assistance to one of the island’s 90 residents. Over the years, the quick air-trip has also become popular with tourists.

Unlike most aircraft you’d expect to see at an airport, the plane only holds eight passengers and has one pilot. The Wikipedia page about the very short-haul flight, states that Loganair’s chief executive, Jim Cameron described the plane as “robust” and “well suited to the vagaries of Scottish weather”.

For individuals wanting to travel to the islands, there is also the option of a passenger ferry, which operates several daily departures in each direction. The ferry path is about three miles long and takes about 25 minutes. A car ferry also usually runs twice a week.

Westray and Papa Westray are both located in the Orkney Islands, which is a popular spot for bird watching, coastal walks and history buffs. Once location, ‘The Heart of Neolithic Orkney’ is a group of Neolithic monuments including a large chambered tomb, two ceremonial stone circles and a settlement.

The islands also have hundreds of miles of coastline offering picturesque white sand beaches, including Rackwick in Hoy, which has huge sandstone cliffs. Loganair reaches six islands from Kirkwall Airport. A return flight from Westray to Papa Westray costs from £14.50 per person.