North America’s shortest international flight to take off

SEATTLE – North America’s shortest scheduled international flight – at less than 20 minutes – will soon leave daily from Friday Harbor Airport in Washington and land in Victoria, Canada.

The Seattle Times reported it took three years, but Friday Harbor Airport received official clearance this week for the flight. Pending FAA approval, a Canadian airline anticipates beginning to book passengers within the next month.

Northstar Air Tours owner Henry Emson says a one-way ticket will start at $49 on a nine-passenger plane.

Friday Harbor, on San Juan Island, and Victoria, on Vancouver Island, are 20 miles from each other but separated by a strait and an international border.

Travelers’ options have been restricted to driving, taking a seasonal ferry or chartering a plane.