<strong>Island hopping:</strong> Loganair flight LM711 is acknowledged by Guinness World Records as the world's shortest scheduled passenger flight for its below two-minute connection between two Scottish islands.
Island hopping: Loganair flight LM711 is acknowledged by Guinness World Records as the world's shortest scheduled passenger flight for its below two-minute connection between two Scottish islands.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Kirkwall Airport:</strong> Visitors typically board the flight at Kirkwall on Mainland Island, the capital of the Orkney Islands.
Kirkwall Airport: Visitors typically board the flight at Kirkwall on Mainland Island, the capital of the Orkney Islands.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Tiny plane: </strong>The service is operated using a<strong> </strong>Britten Norman BN-2 Islander, a twin-engine plane with seats for eight passengers.
Tiny plane: The service is operated using a Britten Norman BN-2 Islander, a twin-engine plane with seats for eight passengers.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Tight fit:</strong> There's not much space inside. And no onboard facilities. Passengers are assigned seats to help evenly distribute the payload weight.
Tight fit: There's not much space inside. And no onboard facilities. Passengers are assigned seats to help evenly distribute the payload weight.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Front row view:</strong> The short flight is a thrill ride with added bonus of being able to watch the pilot at work.
Front row view: The short flight is a thrill ride with added bonus of being able to watch the pilot at work.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Papa Westray:</strong> After a brief stop en route, the plane makes its record-breaking hop to Papa Westray, a tiny island that's home to about 80 people.
Papa Westray: After a brief stop en route, the plane makes its record-breaking hop to Papa Westray, a tiny island that's home to about 80 people.
Courtesy Suzanne Plunkett
<strong>Multiple jobs: </strong>Many people on Papa Westray hold down more than one job to help keep the island running. Local farmers work as the airport's fire crew when the airplane comes to visit.
Multiple jobs: Many people on Papa Westray hold down more than one job to help keep the island running. Local farmers work as the airport's fire crew when the airplane comes to visit.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Papa Westray Airport:</strong> The control tower at the island's airport is a small block house. It may be rudimentary, but it's hard to beat a 10-minute check in time.
Papa Westray Airport: The control tower at the island's airport is a small block house. It may be rudimentary, but it's hard to beat a 10-minute check in time.
Courtesy Suzanne Plunkett
<strong>Runway's end: </strong>Stripes painted on a traditional dry stone wall serve as a navigational marker for one of Papa Westray's landing strips.
Runway's end: Stripes painted on a traditional dry stone wall serve as a navigational marker for one of Papa Westray's landing strips.
Alamy
<strong>Ancient site:</strong> First stop on a tour of Papa Westray is the Knap of Howar, an ancient site believed to be more than 5,000 years old.
Ancient site: First stop on a tour of Papa Westray is the Knap of Howar, an ancient site believed to be more than 5,000 years old.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Older than the pyramids: </strong>The Neolithic homestead at the Knap of Howar was discovered in the 1930s. It's believed to be one of the oldest standing houses in Europe, built before the Egyptian pyramids.
Older than the pyramids: The Neolithic homestead at the Knap of Howar was discovered in the 1930s. It's believed to be one of the oldest standing houses in Europe, built before the Egyptian pyramids.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>St. Boniface Church: </strong>This religious site dates back to the 8th century although the structure of the restored church is from the 12th century.
St. Boniface Church: This religious site dates back to the 8th century although the structure of the restored church is from the 12th century.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Mysterious grave:</strong> Papay Ranger Jonathan Ford says theories about an unusual tombstone in the church's graveyard may indicate nobility or, possibly, a witch.
Mysterious grave: Papay Ranger Jonathan Ford says theories about an unusual tombstone in the church's graveyard may indicate nobility or, possibly, a witch.
Courtesy Suzanne Plunkett
<strong>Nature reserve:</strong> Papa Westray's North Hill Nature Reserve is a protected stretch of coastal heath that's home to dozens of species of birds.
Nature reserve: Papa Westray's North Hill Nature Reserve is a protected stretch of coastal heath that's home to dozens of species of birds.
Courtesy Suzanne Plunkett
<strong>Stop right there: </strong>Fulmar chicks can projectile vomit a foul-smelling substance at predators. It's best not to get too close.
Stop right there: Fulmar chicks can projectile vomit a foul-smelling substance at predators. It's best not to get too close.
Courtesy Suzanne Plunkett
<strong>Great auk: </strong>This small monument memorializes the great auks, a large bird which was hunted to extinction in the 19th century. One of the last great auks in Britain was killed on Papa Westray.
Great auk: This small monument memorializes the great auks, a large bird which was hunted to extinction in the 19th century. One of the last great auks in Britain was killed on Papa Westray.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Return journey:</strong> The tiny plane on its way back to Papa Westray for the final flight of the day.
Return journey: The tiny plane on its way back to Papa Westray for the final flight of the day.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Island lifeline:</strong> The plane is a vital link to the outside world for islanders. It brings in medicines and post and carries locals to medical appointments and jobs. For older kids, it's the school bus.
Island lifeline: The plane is a vital link to the outside world for islanders. It brings in medicines and post and carries locals to medical appointments and jobs. For older kids, it's the school bus.
Courtesy Suzanne Plunkett
<strong>Safety briefing:</strong> Senior pilot Colin McAlister gives an over-the-shoulder safety briefing to his passengers.
Safety briefing: Senior pilot Colin McAlister gives an over-the-shoulder safety briefing to his passengers.
Courtesy Suzanne Plunkett
<strong>Speedy service: </strong>Papa Westray has a slower boat service, but it's hard to beat the airplane when the fastest time for the short hop is 53 seconds. During the flight between the two islands it can reach speeds of up to 150 miles per hour.
Speedy service: Papa Westray has a slower boat service, but it's hard to beat the airplane when the fastest time for the short hop is 53 seconds. During the flight between the two islands it can reach speeds of up to 150 miles per hour.
Barry Neild/CNN