SHORTEST REGULARLY SCHEDULED COMMERCIAL FLIGHT IN THE WORLD

The Loganair Westray (island) to Papa Westray (island) route in Orkney, Scotland is the shortest scheduled passenger flight in the world. Flights on this route are scheduled for one and a half minutes, and actual flying time is closer to one minute. The record for the fastest flight is 53 seconds. The route is flown by Loganair, a Scottish regional airline that serves Scotland's Highlands and islands. Flights between Westray Airport and Papa Westray Airport occur daily in both directions, except on Saturdays, when only flights from Westray to Papa Westray are available, and on Sunday, when only flights from Papa Westray to Westray are available. The total distance covered by the flights is 1.7 miles, which is about the same length as the runway at Edinburgh airport. Many students and their teachers take these flights to study the 60 archaeological sites on Papa Westray, making up the majority of passengers. Occasionally health professionals are needed to assist one of the island's 90 residents, and patients will also take the flight from Papa Westray to medical facilities when needed. The flight has also become popular among tourists.

ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM, GREAT BRITAIN EXPLAINED

THE BRITISH ISLES:

The British Isles consists of the islands of Great Britain, Ireland and over 6,000 smaller isles (including: the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey and Isle of Man).

GREAT BRITAIN:

Great Britain is the larger of the two main islands in the British Isles accounting for 73% of the land area and 90% of the population. It is divided into three countries all of who are part of the United Kingdom.

·         ENGLAND: The largest country in Great Britain accounting for 57% of the area and 86% of the population.

·         SCOTLAND: The second largest country in Great Britain accounting for 34% of the area and 9% of the population.

·         WALES: The smallest country in Great Britain accounting for 9% of the area and 5% of the population.

IRELAND:

Ireland is the smaller of the two large islands in the archipelago, accounting for 27% of the land area, but just under 10% of the total population. It is divided between the fully independent sovereign state of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland which is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom.

·         REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Accounts for 84% of the area of Ireland and 72% of the population.

·         NORTHERN IRELAND: Accounts for 17% of the area and 28% of the population.

UNITED KINGDOM:

The United Kingdom is a fully independent sovereign state made up of the 3 countries on Great Britain plus Northern Ireland.

FUN FACT: Everyone from England, Scotland and Wales is also British, but not people from Northern Ireland, who are Irish (despite also being U.K. citizens). People from the Republic of Ireland are just Irish. And, none of these groups, except for people from England, should be referred to as English.