Getting from Papa Westray Airport to the city

The ninety second flight

• Papa Westray to Westray is the shortest scheduled flight in the world. Loganair's own description is that it usually takes around 90 seconds, and it is an ordinary leg of the Inter-Isles timetable rather than a special.
• It is genuinely popular with visitors, which matters on an aircraft with seven passenger seats. Book ahead rather than expecting to walk on.
• The Sightseer fare is a round trip from Kirkwall on the same aircraft with no stopover, bookable only on the day and only if a seat is free. That is the way to see the North Isles from the air without committing to an island stay.

Fares to Papay

• The senior citizen discount does not apply between Kirkwall and Papa Westray. Loganair excludes this route, along with North Ronaldsay, because it already receives additional fare support.
• Residents in the Papa Westray concessionary fare scheme book by calling 01856 872494.

How the Inter-Isles service works

• Orkney Islands Council owns the airfield and Loganair operates the flights under a public service obligation contract. The council describes the six North Isles services as internal air services and sets the timetables itself.
• The airfields sit 14 to 28 nautical miles north of Kirkwall in uncontrolled airspace. Every flight starts or ends at Kirkwall Airport, which is also where the connections to Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Sumburgh are.
• The aircraft is an eight seat Britten-Norman Islander with seven seats for passengers. That is the whole capacity of a departure, which is why Loganair asks passengers who cannot travel to release the seat as early as possible.

Baggage and check-in

• Fifteen kilograms in total, across all your bags. This is not the 21 kg allowance on Loganair's mainland flights and it catches connecting passengers out.
• Cabin space is extremely limited: only very small handbags and slim laptop bags. Everything else is checked in at the Inter-Isles desk, even if you checked in online.
• Excess baggage cannot be pre-booked. It is charged, and it flies only if there is weight and space. If not, it follows on a later service.
• Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Check-in closes 20 minutes before at Kirkwall and 15 minutes before from an island.

Fares

• Economy and Economy Return for one-way and same-day return travel from Kirkwall, Excursion for a return from Kirkwall with an overnight stay, and Island Saver for return journeys that start and end on a North Isle.
• Sightseer is a round trip from Kirkwall on the same aircraft with no stopover, bookable only on the day and subject to seats.
• Open Return fares last six months from the outbound date.
• Children aged 2 to 15 pay 50 per cent of the adult fare, except on Sightseer. Infants under two are free if they do not take a seat.
• The Air Discount Scheme gives eligible Highlands and Islands residents 50 per cent off the core fare.

Changes, cancellations and assistance

• Full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the flight. Changes are allowed up to 45 minutes before departure. Both go through 01856 872494.
• If you need assistance boarding, speak to the Inter-Isles team before booking. The Islander is small, with limited cabin and hold space, and the operator wants the conversation early rather than at the steps.