The World's 10 Shortest Flights, Including a 47-Second Journey

August 22, 2025 | 05:50 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Not all flights are long. Some routes are recorded as the shortest flights in the world, with durations measured in minutes and even seconds. Although the distance is very short, these flights are still important as they connect communities, facilitate business access, and support the tourism sector.

Summarized from Times of India and Aviation A2z, here is a list of the shortest flights in the world:

1. Westray-Papa Westray (47 Seconds)

The world's shortest commercial flight is the route between Westray and Papa Westray, two small islands in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. The route is only 1.7 miles (2.7 kilometers) long, with an official duration of about two minutes. However, with favorable wind conditions, the plane can land in just 47 seconds after takeoff.

2. Karpathos-Kasos (5 minutes)

Olympic Air operates a short flight between the two Greek islands, Karpathos and Kasos, with a travel time of only about 5 minutes. Despite the short distance of only about 12 miles, this route can also be covered by ferry, although the journey will take more than an hour.

3. St. Maarten-Anguilla (10 minutes)

St. Maarten is known for being home to one of the world's most popular airports, Princess Juliana International Airport, where tourists often gather on the beach to watch planes flying low right above their heads. There are also short flights from this airport to Anguilla, covering a distance of only 12 miles, which can be completed in 10 minutes.

4. Brazzaville-Kinshasa (15 minutes)

The shortest international route in the world connects Brazzaville (Republic of the Congo) and Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo). The two national capitals are only about 24 kilometers apart, separated by the Congo River.

This flight is operated by ASKY Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines using the Boeing 737-800. The actual flight duration is only about 15 minutes, but the official schedule records a travel time of up to 50 minutes due to the aircraft taxiing process at the airport.

5. St. Barthelemy-St. Martin (15 minutes)

Still in the Caribbean region, there is a route from St. Barthelemy (SBH) to St. Martin (SFG) covering a distance of 31 kilometers. Operated by Air Antilles using the Cessna 208B Caravan, this flight only takes 15 minutes.

6. Saba-St. Maarten (15 minutes)

The small island of Saba is connected to St. Maarten by a short flight covering a distance of 45 kilometers. Served by Winair with a DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft, this flight only takes 15 minutes. Interestingly, Saba has the Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, the airport with the shortest commercial runway in the world.

7. St. Eustatius-St. Maarten (20 minutes)

Another popular route is from St. Eustatius (EUX) to St. Maarten (SXM). This 20-minute flight covers a short distance. Winair operates this route with the Twin Otter aircraft.

8. Bonaire-Curacao (35 minutes)

There is also a route in the Caribbean archipelago between Bonaire (BON) and Curacao (CUR) that covers 74 kilometers. Operated by Winair with a Saab 340, this flight takes about 35 minutes and operates 17 times a week. This route connects two islands of the ABC Islands located off the coast of Venezuela, namely Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.

9. Kasane-Victoria Falls (35 minutes)

In southern Africa, a short flight connects Kasane (BBK), Botswana, to Victoria Falls (VFA), Zimbabwe, covering a distance of 77 kilometers. Using a light turboprop aircraft from Airlink, this flight takes 35 minutes. This route is very popular among tourists as it connects the Botswana safari destination with one of the wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls.

10. Dammam-Bahrain (40 minutes)

The only flight route from the Middle East on this list is the flight from Dammam (DMM), Saudi Arabia, to Bahrain (BAH) covering a distance of 87 kilometers. Operated by Gulf Air with the Airbus A320neo, this approximately 40-minute flight is available 10 times a week.

Editor's Choice: World's 10 Best Airlines in 2025, According to Skytrax Awards

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