What Are the World’s Shortest International Flights?

Just how short are the world's shortest international flights? One lasts under ten minutes!

While air travel substantially reduces the time needed to reach our desired destination, it can still be time-consuming when we factor in the trip to the airport and pass the stringent security protocol. But what if our flight just lasted a couple of minutes? Would you be interested in taking the flight? Here's a list of the shortest international flight in the world.

1. Brazzaville to Kinshasa

The flight from Brazzaville, the capital of the Congo, to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo is easily the shortest international flight in the world. If we exclude Rome and Vatican City, Brazzaville and Kinshasa are the closest capital cities. Located on opposite sides of the Congo River, they are just 1.6 km (1 mile) apart at the narrowest.

Depending on the route taken, the flight distance is about 21-24 km (13-15 miles) and takes around 5 to 10 minutes. Smaller airlines like Congo Airways and Trans Air Congo usually operate on this route. Despite the small distance, this is an international flight.

2. St Martin (SFG) to St Barthelemy

St. Martin (SFG) refers to the Grand Case Airport, which is located on the French side of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin. St. Barthelemy is also a French-speaking island in the Caribbean Sea, specifically in the Leeward Islands. The flight between these two islands is among the shortest international flights.

The flight covers a distance of around 31 km (19 miles) and usually takes 15 to 22 minutes to complete. The primary airline, St Bart Commuter, generally uses smaller aircraft, such as the Cessna 208B, on this route. Interestingly, the airline undertakes 19 of the shortest international flights worldwide weekly.

3. Saba to St. Maarten

The flight from Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (SAB), Saba, to Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), St. Maarten (Dutch side), is the third shortest international flight in the world. The distance between the two destinations is just short of 45 km (28 miles), and the flight takes about 12 to 15 minutes.

The primary airline operating on this route is Winair, and the aircraft type used for this flight is the de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter. Interestingly, the Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport also has the shortest commercial runway in the world, at 400 meters (1,312 feet).

4. Kasane to Victoria Falls

The flight from Kasane International Airport in Botswana to Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe appears on the list of shortest international flights, and rightly so. It is a convenient option for travelers visiting the renowned Victoria Falls region.

The distance between the two destinations is 77 km (48 miles) and typically takes 20 minutes to cover. Mack Air is the regular carrier operating on the route. With an average of 7 flights weekly, the airline uses Cessna Light Aircraft (single turboprop) to complete the journey.

5. Kingstown to Lauriston

The flight between Kingstown, Saint Vincent, and Lauriston, Carriacou, is the fifth shortest international flight in the world. The route is not just important from the point of view of tourism but also serves as a ferry service for the locals.

SVG Air, the airline operating on this route, covers a distance of 79 km (49 miles) in 20 to 25 minutes. The aircraft types used for this route are small twin-engine aircraft.

6. Sint Maarten to Saint Kitts

The flight from Princess Juliana International Airport in Sint Maarten to Robert L. Brandshaw International Airport in Saint Kitts is one of the shortest international flights. Winair, the leading operator on this route, covers 92 km (57 miles) in just 30 minutes. De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter or ATR 42-300/320 aircraft are generally used on this route.

Operated 16 times a week, the flight is quite famous because the aircraft flies very close to Maho Beach near the Princess Juliana International Airport—close enough to appear incredibly close to beachgoers’ heads.

7. Florida to Bahamas

Among the shortest international flights is from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in Florida to Bimini North Seaplane Base (NSB) in the Bahamas. The quick flight covers 95 km (59 miles) in just 35 minutes. Tropic Ocean Airways exclusively operates on this route, using the Cessna light aircraft with single turboprop engines. The airline operates 37 weekly flights, averaging about five daily. ​The flight is convenient for travelers who want to reach Bimini from Fort Lauderdale.

8. Dammam to Bahrain

The flight from Dammam in Saudi Arabia to Bahrain is one of the shortest international flights that operates in the Middle East. It is also the only flight to use the Airbus A320neo, which has a seating capacity of 120 passengers.

Gulf Air, the leading operator on this route, covers an 83 km (53 miles) distance in about 40 minutes. The airline operates three flights daily on the route.

9. Bonaire to Curacao

Another name appearing on the list of shortest international flights is the flight from the Flamingo International Airport (BON) in Bonaire to Hato International Airport (CUR) in Curaçao. This popular flight connects these two Caribbean islands, especially among tourists.

Divi Divi Air, the leading operator on this route, covers 74 km (46 miles) in 25 to 70 minutes, depending on the weather. The airline uses the De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, which has a seating capacity of 19 passengers. However, other airlines operate on this route, such as Winair, EZAir, and TUIfly Netherlands.

10. Sint Maarten to St. Eustatius

The flight from Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) in Sint Maarten to F.D. Roosevelt Airport (EUX) in St. Eustatius is one of the shortest international flights. Winair, the primary airline operating on this route, covers a distance of 61 km (38 miles) in around 25 minutes. The Flights are typically operated using De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft.​

The route is also part of a broader island-hopping network operated by Winair. The airline connects St. Maarten, Saba, St. Eustatius, and other Dutch Caribbean islands for tourists. Pilots sometimes fly multiple legs in a single day, all under 30 minutes each.

Opportunities for Aviation Professionals

What does the shortest international flight in the world mean for aspiring aviation professionals? Does becoming a pilot or cabin crew member require a different skill set? Short-haul flights will mean different things for different aviation roles.

• For First Officers: Individuals looking at first officer jobs are looking at quick flight hour building. The shortest international flights translate to more takeoffs and landings daily, which also means more hands-on experience flying manually. Many aircraft used in such short-haul flights are typically Twin Otters or ATRs, which require more frequent interaction with the aircraft. For those looking at pilot jobs, this would be a valuable skill to add to their resume.

• For Cabin Crew: You may assume that the shortest international flight in the world would not require a cabin crew. But that is not the case. Quick flights mean more fast-paced workdays, which can be great if you make quick decisions and work fast. Additionally, for those looking at cabin crew jobs, a career in such short-haul flights means they get home every night, a luxury for many flight attendants.

• For Airline Captains: The shortest international flights also require leadership roles to steer them in the right direction. Airline captain jobs are in demand on such routes because captains must manage quick turnarounds and tight schedules. It can also be hands-on work since airline captains might handle other roles.

Conclusion

The world’s shortest international flights can teach pilots more about the differences between long-haul and short-haul flights. Manual flying is becoming more common in handling such flights, and it is definitely an opportunity for those looking at first officer jobs. For the broader aviation industry, these flights are becoming more common. With tourism witnessing a spike worldwide, consumers want to visit far-off destinations, places that are unique and utterly different in experience. This means more and more airlines will be looking at opening new routes that also take less time to complete.

While these short flights might not grab attention as the world’s longest flights, they are essential in connecting remote areas. Moreover, these short-haul flights, often priced on budget, are a quicker alternative for locals who can quickly reach other places to buy their stocks. This facilitates economic growth while creating opportunities in underserved areas. Additionally, short-haul flights can easily capitalize on underutilized airport infrastructure that might already be in place. Smaller aircraft cannot accommodate bigger aircraft. However, the aircraft types in such flights can easily land and take off from such airports, leading to more sustainable practices.