Unique flights in the world
Do you want to know more about unique flights? We will look at some weird and wonderful airline routes that ever existed, including the longest and shortest flights ever.
- World's shortest flight
- The longest flight in the world
- Making a long-haul flight comfortable
- The weirdest airline routes in the world
- Crossing the international Date Lines
- Flight to Saint-Pierre
World's shortest flight
You will probably take more time reading this article than taking a flight between two islands in the North Isles of Scotland; Westray and Papa Westray. The flight takes only 47 seconds. It is ridiculously short. You are likely to spend more time taking off than in the air. Loganair Airlines flies the route and covers 1.7 miles.
The flight takes an average of one and a half minutes, making it the shortest airline route in the world, but the shortest flight time ever recorded was 47 seconds. The route burns about 10kg of fuel and is the same length as the Edinburgh airport runway. Doctors, teachers, islanders, and police officers use the service. Loganair Airlines have been running this route since 1967 and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017. Passengers also get a certificate after completing this flight. If you happen to visit the Orkney Islands, consider taking the Loganair flight.
The longest flight in the world
Singapore Airlines is credited with launching the longest flight in the entire world, that connects Newark Liberty International Airport with Changi Airport in Singapore. Airbus 350-900ULR jets are used on this route that covers 10,000 miles and lasts up to 19 hours. The ULR stands for ultra-long-range, meaning it can cruise more than the A340-500. In 2013 Singapore Airlines used A340-500s on the route, but its four engines were proving uneconomical, and even Business Class flights could not save the route.
Making a long-haul flight comfortable
The thought of sitting for a whole 19 hours is unfathomable. Singapore Airlines has prepared for five years to re-launch the long-haul flights in a cost-effective way. The airline owns all seven of the A350-900ULR aircraft manufactured in the whole world. The principal aim of re-launching is to save more flight time and travel in greater comfort. Singapore's location makes it impossible to fly aircrafts such as Boeing 747 and 777. The A350-900URL aircraft, unlike Boeing 747 and 777, does not require immediate stops.
To make the flight bearable, Singapore Airlines has opted for 67 Business Class seats and 94 Premium Economy Seats. The Business Class seats are arranged facing the front with a 1-2-1 pattern. The pitch between the seats is 60 inches, good room to stretch your legs. The seats can recline fully to form lie-flat beds. Each individual has a screen 18 inches wide and in-seat power and USB ports to charge your gadgets.
Premium Economy seats are in a mostly 2-4-2 pattern and are spread across a single cabin in the back. The seats are 19.5 inches wide, an inch wider than the Delta and American Premium Economy seats and can recline up to eight inches. Each sitting area has a 38-inch seat pitch and a 13.3-inch screen, and power and charging ports. Singapore Airlines is focused on giving travelers the best experience.
The weirdest airline routes in the world
Travelers are sometimes looking to have memorable flights that are unique in their own way. We've seen couples take a flight to cross datelines for their anniversary, and tourists fly to Saint-Pierre for French cheese and cheap wine.
Crossing the international date lines
Do you want to become a time traveler? A Qantas flight from Sydney to LAX will make your dreams come true. This flight flies over the International Date Line (IDL). The IDL is an imaginary boundary that passes through Greenwich and separates one day from another - you cross from the east to the west, and you gain a day.
Flight to Saint-Pierre
Saint-Pierre, along with Miquelon, are islands that were assigned to France in the 1713 treaty of Utrecht. These islands are deep in the Canadian Maritimes. There is a one-way flight every Monday from 2nd July to 20th August to Saint-Pierre from Paris. Alternatively, you can use a ferry from southern Newfoundland. Tourists prefer taking a Saint-Pierre flight to the islands.
See more, do more, feel more with Vayama.ie