The Route Across the Papa Sound
In Scotland’s remote Orkney archipelago, two windswept islands sit barely 1.7 miles (2.7 kilometers) apart across the Papa Sound. While a passenger ferry navigates the treacherous waters, the Scottish regional carrier Loganair has continuously operated a scheduled air service connecting Westray Airport (WRY) and Papa Westray Airport (PPW) since 1967.
Officially scheduled for two minutes on flight timetables, the actual airborne flight time between wheels up and touchdown is routinely around 80 seconds. Under favorable tailwinds, pilots frequently record flight durations as brief as 53 seconds.
The Aircraft: Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander
The service is operated using the rugged eight-seat Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander twin-engine propeller aircraft. With high-lift wings, non-retractable landing gear, and exceptional short take-off and landing (STOL) capabilities, the Islander climbs to an altitude of merely 350 to 500 feet (100–150 meters) before beginning its immediate descent.
Passengers sit directly behind the single pilot without cockpit doors or separation, giving travelers an unobstructed view of the instrument gauges as airspeed reaches roughly 150 km/h (90 mph) before throttle reduction.
A Lifeline for the Island Community
While aviation enthusiasts from around the world visit Orkney to experience the hop, the route serves a crucial public service obligation. It transports teachers, National Health Service (NHS) doctors, veterinarians, and schoolchildren between the two islands when choppy North Atlantic tides ground maritime vessels.
Loganair passengers on the flight even receive a commemorative certificate signed by the flight captain verifying they have completed the world's shortest scheduled flight.