With a capacity to carry 544 passengers on a direct flight up to 8,200 miles non-stop, the Airbus A380 is the world's largest commercial aircraft. In December, Emirates Airlines will be using the superjumbo plane to fly from Doha, Qatar to Dubai, UAE, a journey less than 1 hour, the shortest flight in the world for which an A380 is used.
In fact, the trip is so short for the A380 that according to The Telegraph, it can fly to and fro between the two cities about 40 times before even needing to refuel. However, there are even shorter flights all around the world, and here are the top 5 shortest.
1. Shortest flight between two capitals - Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo to Brazzaville (Republic of Congo)
This "tale of two Congos" is serviced by no less than a Boeing 787 Dreamliner but spans just a distance of 16 miles. Separated by the murky waters of the river Congo, this is by far the best and easiest way to get from one side to the other, at only 35 minutes.
2. Shortest flight between two continents - Tangiers, Morocco to Gibraltar, British Territory
The Straits of Gibraltar separates Europe and Africa by only 9 miles at its narrowest point. In fact, many ferries are available here according to CNN, but Morocco's Royal Air Maroc offers an ATR-72 turboprop aircraft to cross the strait by air, for those who might feel seasick.
3. Shortest flight between two countries - St. Gallen-Alterhein, Switzerland to Frierichshafen, Germany
People's Viennaline is set to fly the 13 mile route separated by Lake Constance at the foot of the Alps. At just eight minutes of time airborne, this is a must for all flight enthusiasts, especially since Friedrichshafen was the site for the first Zeppelin tests.
4. Shortest regular commercial flight - Westray to Papa Westray, Scotland
The Orkney islands of Westray and Papa Westray on Scotland's northern coast is separated by a narrow stretch of water. For nearly 50 years, Scottish airline Loganair has been running the service that takes just over a minute, and even as low as 53 seconds when a strong tailwind is in play. Locals on the two islands use this route as a way of coping with daily work, school and activities.
5. Shortest non-regular commercial flight - Kegata to Apowo, Papua, Indonesia
Although only 1.3 miles apart, the two hill settlements are separated by a deep forested valley, making it an arduous journey through steep mountains and thick rainforests. Matt Dearden, a British pilot has carried up to 10 people at a time on his Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter, a single-engine aircraft.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
