Papa Westray Airport
Papa Westray, Orkney Islands, United Kingdom
Papa Westray Airport
Home of the world's shortest scheduled airline route.
- ›Hosts the world's shortest scheduled commercial flight to Westray, approximately 1.7 miles, recognised by Guinness World Records.
- ›The Westray to Papa Westray flight typically takes under two minutes in good weather conditions.
- ›The airport is operated by Orkney Islands Council as part of the inter-island air service network.
- ›Papa Westray island has a population of only around 90 residents, making the airport critical for connectivity.
- ›Loganair has operated the inter-island Orkney routes for decades, treating them as an essential public service.
Papa Westray Airport is a small grass-strip airfield serving the tiny island of Papa Westray, one of the Orkney Islands off the northern coast of Scotland. It is famously associated with the world's shortest scheduled commercial flight, a roughly 90-second hop to the neighbouring island of Westray operated by Loganair. The airport plays a vital lifeline role for the island's small resident population, connecting them to the wider Orkney archipelago and mainland Scotland.
- Main Terminal — A compact single-room terminal building handling the island's minimal scheduled traffic with basic passenger facilities.
- Local taxi or pre-arranged private transfer
- Bicycle hire available informally on the island
- Walking — the terminal is accessible on foot from nearby settlements
- Beltane House (Papa Westray community guesthouse)
- Self-catering cottages on Papa Westray
There are no dining facilities within the airport terminal itself. Visitors should plan meals through their accommodation or at Beltane House, the island's community-run guesthouse, which offers meals to residents and guests. Provisions can be limited on the island, so bringing supplies from Kirkwall is advisable for longer stays.
- Book the Westray–Papa Westray Loganair flight in advance — it is a popular tourist experience as the world's shortest scheduled flight.
- The island has very limited services, so carry cash, snacks, and any essentials before arriving.
- Weather in Orkney changes rapidly; pack waterproofs and layers regardless of the season.
- Check Loganair schedules carefully as frequency is low and cancellations due to weather are not uncommon.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
Route map (3 destinations)
Airlines serving this airport
Routes
Aircraft operating here
Pick what matters for your layover or early flight, then compare on your favorite booking site.
IndianAirports may receive compensation when you book or purchase through some of the links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Prices and availability are set by the booking provider and may change. We never share your private trip details with partners — only the destination, dates and party size you searched.
City & Place Guide
No guide exists for this place yet — Click to generate a Traveler Pulse guide.
Papa Westray Airport is located on Papa Westray, Orkney Islands, Scotland, 24 NM north of Kirkwall. The facility is best known for being one of the two airports joined by the shortest scheduled flight in the world, a leg of Loganair's inter-island service, to Westray Airport. The distance is 2.8 km (1.7 mi) and the scheduled flight time, including taxiing, is two minutes.
Read full article on Wikipedia