What to Expect on Your First Island Hop Flight from Tingwall to Fair Isle

Shetland island hop flights are also known as ‘puddle jumpers.’ Planes tend to be small and service airports that consist of one tiny landing strip. They’re also notorious reputations for running off schedule due to the vicissitudes of fickle  weather. Think old Cessna planes built sometime between 1927 and 1997. There is no cockpit door separating passengers from the pilot.

These island hop flights are  safe, scenic, and an economical way to get around. The  30-minute flight can save you over 2.5  hours spent on a the Good Shepherd ferry to make the same 23 mile transit.

FYI:

THERE IS NOT A REAL  A BARRIER BETWEEN YOU AND THE PILOT

YOU MIGHT BE WEIGHED ALONG WITH YOUR LUGGAGE.

IT WILL BE NOISY

IT MAY NOT BE AS SMOOTHA S YOU THINK

READY TO FLY?

With these expectations in mind, your first island hop flight might be a fun adventure rather than an anxiety-inducing experience. Every time I board, I am grateful that such scenic flights can get me from point A  TIGWALL to B  FAIR ISLE safely.