As any aviation enthusiast can confirm, occasionally the trip can be more enjoyable than the arrival. Through the years, there have been numerous flights I’ve been tempted to experience solely because they appear “exciting,” for various reasons.
Regardless, in this article, I would like to present what I view as the most captivating avgeek flights available. I’m eager to know what other avgeek routes OMAAT readers find intriguing as well. In no specific sequence…
In this article:
The United Airlines island hopper
While it’s possible to fly directly from Honolulu to Guam in just over seven hours on a 777, where’s the thrill in that? Instead, you could opt for a 737 on United’s renowned island hopper flight. Yes, it might add an extra seven hours of travel time, despite the fact that you’re only covering around 500 additional miles. But you can halt at five distinct islands you’d likely never have the chance to visit otherwise.
This flight serves as a crucial link to all these islands, which otherwise have very limited air service. And United even provides a mechanic on these flights, in case any issues arise during the journey.
The United Airlines island hopper route
The Alaska Airlines milk run
You could fly nonstop from Seattle to Juneau, but where’s the excitement in that when you could take Alaska Airlines’ milk run instead? This route operates from Seattle to Juneau via Ketchikan, Wrangell, and Petersburg. Some flights cover a mere distance of just 30 miles and loop around glaciers.
Alaska Airlines operates various milk run routes, linking smaller communities in Alaska. For those curious about the name “milk run,” it refers to how these flights have traditionally delivered essential supplies (including milk) to small communities.
The Alaska Airlines milk run route
Speaking of Alaska Airlines flights, I also enjoy the airline’s service to Adak Island, which is about as far west as you can travel in the state of Alaska by air. How amazing is that?!
Alaska Airlines flies from Anchorage to Adak Island
The Air France Caribbean island hopper
Air France has two Airbus A320s based in the Caribbean, due to France’s ties to the region. These A320s are nearly identical to those found in Europe, as they even include the standard intra-Europe business class, which consists solely of economy with blocked middle seats.
Arguably the most exciting route these aircraft operate is the three-segment journey between Miami and Cayenne. This route operates through Pointe-à-Pitre and Fort-de-France.
The Air France island hopper route
Taking the world’s shortest commercial flight
Scottish regional airline Loganair operates the world’s briefest commercial flight, between Westray and Papa Westray. The flight is scheduled for two minutes and typically spends about a minute airborne, covering a distance of merely 1.7 miles. The route is supported by government subsidies and has been running continuously since 1967, so it’s been around for quite some time.
You rarely see a block time of just two minutes!
Taking the world’s longest commercial flight
On the opposite end of the scale, you can take the world’s longest flight, from Singapore to New York. Singapore Airlines runs this route with specially configured A350-900ULRs (with the “ULR” standing for “ultra long range”). With a block time exceeding 18 hours and a distance close to 9,600 miles, this is an exceptionally long flight.
On the upside, everyone on this flight should be fairly comfortable, as the aircraft exclusively offers business class and premium economy seating. Many avgeeks believe there’s no such thing as a flight that’s too lengthy, but this marathon journey tests that notion.
Singapore Airlines’ A350-900ULRs are extremely comfortable!
Landing in St. Barts (SBH)
Gustaf III Airport is situated on the popular Caribbean island of St. Barts. The airport is frequently considered one of the most perilous in the world, due to the short runway length (just over 2,000 feet), combined with the steep descent angle that planes must take to land.
The airport provides services to nearby islands, with one of the most frequented routes being to Sint Maarten — that’s merely a 20-mile flight, which typically lasts under 10 minutes.
Landing on the world’s shortest commercial runway
Speaking of the Caribbean and short runways, there’s another remarkable airport located just 30 miles from St. Barts. Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (SAB) is found on the island of Saba and boasts what is considered the world’s shortest runway among commercial airports, measuring just over 1,300 feet.
Access to the airport is primarily via Winair from Sint Maarten, using DHC-6 Twin.