If you haven’t been to the Isles of Scilly before, you’ve been missing out on one of Britain’s best-kept secrets – an enchanting cluster of islands that look like they belong in the Caribbean, yet are just a fifteen-minute flight away from Land’s End.
The journey itself is part of the holiday experience, and passengers often tweet us with pictures from their trip to the islands (just take a look at our Pinterest board). Using their photos as inspiration, we’ve put together our top 10 favourite things about the experience of flying to Scilly from Land’s End – one of three airports offering scheduled flights to the islands, with Skybus services also departing from Exeter and Newquay Airports.
1) The airport’s location
Surrounded by acres of green fields and rugged cliffs, Land’s End Airport is no ordinary airport. If you’re travelling from ‘up-country’ we recommend taking the train from London Paddington to Penzance, before catching the shuttle bus for a short journey deep into the Cornish countryside.
2) The terminal
The beautiful wood-panelled airport terminal is simplicity itself – a check-in area, a café and the safety briefing room. There are no dashes through seemingly never-ending tunnels here.
3) The wood-burning stove
Arriving at the airport the first thing you’ll spot is the wood-burning stove. It’s an unusual feature for an airport terminal, but it’s bound to make you feel right at home.
4) The boarding passes
As you check in at Land’s End Airport you’ll collect your oversized wooden boarding passes. There’s no need for printed tickets and barcodes when there are only eight seats on the plane.
5) The panoramic views
Once you’re all checked in, you can relax in the airy waiting area or wander up to the large glass windows and admire the panoramic view across the airfield and over the Cornish coastline.
6) The plane itself
Unless you have access to your own private jet, travelling by Skybus is somewhat of a novelty. You’ll either hop aboard the 16-seat Twin Otter aircraft or the Islander, which has just eight seats – either way you’ll have a great view of the pilot in action.
7) The in-flight entertainment
Forget watching a film – the flight is far too exciting to require any in-flight entertainment. You’ll have plenty of photo opportunities with spectacular views of the Cornish coastline and the glistening bays of Scilly.
8) The journey time
Taking just 15 minutes from Land’s End Airport, the journey to Isles of Scilly is short but oh so sweet. Long enough to take in the views, short enough to keep the kids captivated.
9) Landing at St Mary’s Airport on the largest of the five populated islands in Scilly is a special treat all its own, with a warm island welcome awaiting you at this small and especially friendly airport sat atop the highest point of St Mary’s. The best bit is it only takes minutes to leave the plane, collect your luggage and stroll down to the beach.
10) The destination!
The Isles of Scilly are unlike anywhere else in Britain. Their white-sand beaches, crystal clear bays and wonderful local residents are just waiting to welcome you.
Book your journey today. Skybus flights depart from Land’s End daily, and you can also fly from Newquay year-round and from Exeter between March and October.
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