Cheap flights to Shetland
A journey to the Shetland Islands begins with arrival at the archipelago's main aviation hub — Sumburgh Airport, located approximately 49 kilometers from the central district. Currently, direct air connections to the archipelago are established from 8 cities, most of which are located within the United Kingdom. The most frequent flights operate from Aberdeen (34 flights per week), Edinburgh (24 flights), and Glasgow (14 flights per week).
Only 1 airline provides regular connections between the islands and the outside world. The primary carrier is Loganair, which operates up to 85 flights weekly and connects the region with destinations such as Kirkwall and the Norwegian city of Bergen. For those planning a trip, it is useful to explore how to get to the destination in advance and check the latest weather information for the region. Below are cards for all available departure cities with a convenient flight search form.
Edinburgh — Shetland
Flight insights to Shetland
Data-driven trends for direct flights to Shetland — how often airlines fly, where passengers come from, and typical fares and flight times.
Most frequent departure cities
The most frequent direct routes to Shetland come from Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Aberdeen leads with around 34 flights a week.
Direct routes & fares
Popular non-stop routes to Shetland range from Aberdeen at $156 to Glasgow at $343 — a quick way to compare direct-flight fares.
Cheapest departure cities
The cheapest places to fly to Shetland from right now are Aberdeen from $156, London from $220 and Dundee from $236.
Longest direct flights
The longest direct flight to Shetland is from London at about 1h 46m, followed by Esbjerg (1h 30m) and Campbeltown (1h 16m).
- London1h 46m
- Esbjerg1h 30m
- Campbeltown1h 16m
- Port Ellen1h 16m
- Kristiansund1h 13m
Popular departure cities to Shetland
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Norway
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United KingdomFrequently asked questions
- How many cities have flights to the Shetland Islands?
- Direct flight connections to the archipelago are currently established from 8 cities. Flights are primarily available from airports in the United Kingdom, as well as from one international departure point in Norway.
- Which cities have the most frequent flights to the Shetland Islands?
- The highest number of flights arrive from Aberdeen (34 flights per week), Edinburgh (24 flights), and Glasgow (14 flights). Regular flights also operate from Kirkwall and London, with departures 6 and 3 times per week, respectively.
- How many airlines fly to the Shetland Islands?
- Only 1 airline operates flights on this route — Loganair. It is the key carrier for the region, operating a total of 85 flights per week to the archipelago's only civilian airport.
- Which airports receive flights to the Shetland Islands?
- The main hub receiving scheduled flights is Sumburgh Airport. It is located at the southern tip of Mainland Island, approximately 49 kilometers from the administrative center.
- How to find cheap tickets to the Shetland Islands?
- To find the best deals, it is recommended to consider departures from major hubs such as Aberdeen or Edinburgh, where flight frequency is highest. It is also worth monitoring airline special offers and booking seats several months before the planned trip.
- When is the best time to buy flight tickets to the Shetland Islands?
- It is best to purchase tickets to the archipelago 2–3 months before departure, especially if you plan to travel in July or August. During the summer, demand for tickets increases significantly, and the number of available seats on Loganair flights decreases rapidly.