While epic long-distance journeys grab attention, there’s something almost comical about super-short international flights. These tiny hops – often between islands or across borders – make you wonder what “flying abroad” really means.
OAG says the top ten shortest international flights are just kilometers long, whisking people across borders in minutes. Lots of them are in the Caribbean, while others link cities or cross big rivers. For travelers, they’re fun bucket-list items; for locals, they’re essential. So, buckle up (briefly) as we count down these flights, from the really short to the “longest” of the short ones.
Antigua to Montserrat (55 km) – A Caribbean Quickie
Starting our list is Fly Montserrat’s trip from Antigua to Montserrat, which is kind of long for this list. At 55 kilometers, the 20-minute flight gives passengers a great view of the Caribbean. It’s a crucial connection for the British Overseas Territory, and the airport’s location, surrounded by peaks and ash, adds excitement to the short flight.
British Virgin Islands to US Virgin Islands (46 km) – Island-Hopping Essentials
Just 46 kilometers separate Terrance B. Lettsome Airport in the British Virgin Islands and Cyril E. King Airport in the US Virgin Islands. Cape Air and Air Sunshine have many flights on this route every day, making it easy for people on yachts and sunbathers to travel between the two places. With sailboats visible, it’s more like a quick ferry with wings than a flight – great for continuing your beach bar hopping across the border.
Saba to St. Maarten (44 km) – The Runway Thrill Ride
Winair’s planes fly the 44 kilometers from Saba to St. Maarten using the world’s shortest commercial runway – just 400 meters on a cliff in Saba. The 15-minute flight needs exact precision but rewards brave passengers with amazing landings at Princess Juliana Airport, where planes fly close to Maho Beach. It’s a quick shot of aviation adrenaline, connecting the Netherlands’ small Caribbean territory to its bigger one.
Anguilla to St. Barthélemy (40 km) – Dream Island Dash
Tradewind Aviation and Anguilla Air Services handle this 40-kilometer trip between two exclusive Caribbean islands: Anguilla’s calm beaches and St. Barthélemy’s fancy shores. The short trip – often under 15 minutes – feels like a private yacht ride without the seasickness. For the wealthy, it’s a quick way to trade rosé lunches for celebrity dinners.
Hong Kong to Macau (37 km) – Helicopter High-Rollers
Sky Shuttle Helicopters makes the 37-kilometer trip between China’s special administrative regions a 15-minute luxury ride over the South China Sea. Departing from Hong Kong, this helicopter avoids the traffic around the Pearl River Delta, dropping VIPs in Macau’s casinos. It’s less about distance and more about arriving in style – think skyline selfies at 1,000 feet.
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St. Barthélemy to St. Maarten (Dutch Side) (31 km) – Bilingual Beach Run
Winair, Air Caraïbes, and St. Barth Commuter fly passengers the 31 kilometers from St. Barthélemy to Sint Maarten’s Dutch side. This 15-minute flight is common for Caribbean travelers, offering different island vibes: French style on one side, Dutch duty-free on the other. With views of peaks like Pic Paradis, it’s a scenic trip between rosé and rum.
St. Barthélemy to Saint Martin (French Side) (31 km) – Twin Island Tango
Similar to the last one, St. Barth Commuter and Air Antilles fly the same 31 kilometers to Saint Martin’s French side in about 15 minutes. Beautiful waters. Sometimes, the most memorable flights clock in at mere minutes, proving good things really do come in small packages. Geography and human cleverness intertwine to create these quirky hops. In an era obsessed with ultra-long flights, these micro-trips remind us that less can truly be more, and that borders can be as light as a summer breeze.
Brazzaville to Kinshasa (24 km) – River-Crossing Behemoths
The Brazzaville to Kinshasa link, a seemingly insignificant 24-kilometer hop across the Congo River, connecting Congo-Brazzaville’s capital to its sister city in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Somewhat unbelievably, Air France sometimes employs a Boeing 787 Dreamliner for this leg of transatlantic journeys, turning a wide-body jet into something of a whimsical sight. Royal Air Maroc, Air Côte d’Ivoire, Asky, and TAAG Angola Airlines also participate, turning this into a busy border crossing; diplomats and businesspeople alike opt for this quick airborne handshake instead of the ferry.
Sint Maarten to Anguilla (19 km) – The Ultimate Teaser
Consider the Sint Maarten to Anguilla route, a mere 19 kilometers. Anguilla Air Services whisks passengers between the Dutch-Caribbean bustle of Sint Maarten and Anguilla’s serene, white-sand beaches in approximately ten minutes. The security lines, however, might feel longer than the actual flight! It’s a flight that sparks a bit of amusement at check-in: “Do we even need to get off the plane?”
Monaco to Nice (19 km) – Riviera Rotor Rush
Then there’s the Monaco to Nice jaunt. Monacair helicopters elegantly traverse the 19 kilometers separating the glamorous principality of Monaco and France’s Côte d’Azur darling, Nice, in under ten minutes. For Formula 1 enthusiasts and yacht owners, it’s the ultimate upgrade from the A8 highway’s traffic jams, offering aerial views of azure waters and villas clinging to cliffs. Forget passport control – this is pure Mediterranean bliss. Why drive when you can float above it all?