
Mentioning air travel usually brings to mind endless lines, invasive security, and being stuck in a tube for hours. Yet, out in Scotland’s Orkney Islands, there’s a flight where you barely click your seatbelt before it’s time to land. Clocking in at a mere 1.7 miles (2.7 km), the jump from Westray to Papa Westray holds the Guinness World Record for the shortest scheduled commercial flight on earth. Officially, it’s a two-minute block on the schedule. In reality, you’re airborne for roughly 90 seconds, and with the right tailwind, pilots have touched down in a blistering 53 seconds. Far from just a quirky record, this micro-flight is a vital link for the locals and a must-do for aviation geeks globally.