When we think of flying, what comes to mind is usually long hours in the air, endless airport lines, and crossing entire continents. But not everywhere. In some corners of the globe, there are flight routes so short they’re over before you’ve even unwrapped your snack—some lasting mere minutes, even under one!
These tiny hops aren’t gimmicks. They’re lifelines—moving locals, goods, and tourists where seas are too rough or terrain too rugged. Here’s a look at some of the world’s shortest scheduled flights that prove aviation isn’t always about distance, but about connection.
10. Saipan – Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands (10 minutes)
Freedom Airline, an airline based in Guam, operates the Saipan–Tinian route with a flight time of only about 10 minutes. The aircraft used is the twin-engine Piper PA-31 Navajo, designed for short-haul travel.
Despite its brief duration, this route is essential for connecting two islands that are part of the Northern Mariana Islands.
9. Hoolehua (Molokai) – Kalaupapa, Hawaii (10 minutes)
In Hawaii, Pacific Wings operates a short hop between Hoolehua (Molokai) and Kalaupapa using a Cessna 208B Caravan. Covering just 14.1 kilometers, the journey takes around 10 minutes.
For locals, this service is a lifeline, as crossing by land and sea is challenging due to steep terrain and rough ocean conditions.
8. Connemara – Inis Mór, Ireland (10 minutes)
Ireland offers a quick connection between Connemara and Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands. Aer Arann Islands operates the route in just about 10 minutes.
Not only does it make life easier for island residents, but it also spares tourists from the often rough and unpredictable sea journey. As a bonus, passengers are treated to stunning aerial views of the Atlantic Ocean.
7. St. Maarten – Anguilla, Caribbean (10 minutes)
In the Caribbean, flying from St. Maarten to Anguilla takes only about 10 minutes on a small aircraft. This is a much faster alternative to the ferry, which depends heavily on sea conditions.
St. Maarten is also home to the world-famous Princess Juliana International Airport, where planes land just a stone’s throw from the beach, an attraction in itself.
6. Karpathos – Kasos, Greece (5–6 minutes)
Shifting to the Aegean Sea, there’s a quick flight connecting Karpathos and Kasos. Although the two islands can be reached by ferry, the sea journey often takes more than an hour, longer still in rough weather.
That’s why Olympic Air offers a short 5–6 minute flight. This route greatly supports local mobility while making it easier for tourists eager to explore the beauty of the Greek islands.
5. Connemara – Inishmaan, Ireland (6 minutes)
Still in Ireland, there’s another short route. The flight from Connemara to Inishmaan lasts only about 6 minutes aboard an Aer Arann plane. Covering a distance of 16.7 kilometers, this air link is vital for residents of the small island who rely on quick access to the mainland.
4. Minami-Daito – Kita-Daito, Japan (3 minutes)
In Japan, a miniature flight connects Minami-Daito and Kita-Daito. Operated by Ryukyu Air Commuter using a Bombardier Dash 8, the journey takes only around 3 minutes to cover 11.2 kilometers.This flight is crucial since both islands are relatively isolated and sea travel is often disrupted by rough waves.
3. Caye Chapel – Caye Caulker, Belize (2 minutes)
In the Caribbean, passengers flying Maya Island Air can travel from Caye Chapel to Caye Caulker in just 2 minutes. Operated with a Cessna 208 Caravan, the 3.8-kilometer route is among the shortest commercial flights in the world.
Despite its brevity, the service is popular with tourists hopping between islands without the hassle of taking a boat.
2. Kegata – Apowo, Papua, Indonesia (73 seconds)
Indonesia also hosts one of the shortest flights in the world. The route connects the villages of Kegata and Apowo in Papua, separated by dense forests and steep mountains. Overland travel is virtually impossible, so small aircraft such as the Pilatus Porter are commonly used.
The flight reportedly lasts just about 73 seconds, though this record remains unofficial. Nevertheless, the route is essential for transporting supplies, evacuating patients, and supporting social and religious activities in these remote communities.
Read also: Just Take a 73-Second Flight, the World's Shortest Commercial Flight Is in Indonesia
1. Westray – Papa Westray, Scotland (±90 seconds, record 53 seconds)
This is the most legendary of them all: Westray to Papa Westray in the Orkney Islands of Scotland. Operated by Loganair, the route spans only 2.7 kilometers. The scheduled flight time is around 90 seconds, but the fastest recorded was 53 seconds with favorable winds.
Beyond its novelty, the route is vital for locals. Traveling by boat would take about 20 minutes and is far riskier in bad weather. So while it may sound amusing—almost shorter than an elevator ride in a skyscraper—this flight genuinely supports everyday life and safety for island residents.
These ultra-short flights may seem “illogical” compared to the long-haul journeys we typically associate with air travel. Yet behind these mere minutes—or even seconds—lie powerful stories about accessibility, safety, and survival in some of the world’s most remote corners.
