In July 2025, the United States will offer a total of 13,907 flights covering an average distance of 109 miles or less, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium. These flights will provide 1.2 million seats and will be operated by several US-based airlines. The shortest scheduled routes will highlight the unique geography of the region, with some flights connecting isolated communities while others link significant urban centers.
Alaska Airlines stands out by operating both the longest and the shortest domestic flights in the United States. Remarkably, it will manage the two shortest routes scheduled for July 2025. The first is from Petersburg Airport to Wrangell Airport in Alaska’s Panhandle, covering a mere 31 miles. This route is crucial as it connects communities without road access and is subsidized by the Essential Air Service program. Alaska Airlines operates this route daily using Boeing 737-700 aircraft, scheduling a total of 31 flights in July, which translates to 3,844 seats.
The second shortest route is from the Alaskan capital, Juneau, to Gustavus Airport, approximately 41 miles apart. This route also relies on daily flights operated by Alaska Airlines, using the same model of aircraft as the Petersburg route. Juneau itself is isolated from the North American road network but is accessible via ferry services along the coast.
Connecting Major Cities and Islands
Beyond the Alaskan routes, several other short flights will serve major population centers. Notably, the route from Chicago O’Hare Airport to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport spans 67 miles. This busy corridor is serviced by both Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, with Alaska scheduling 178 flights and United offering 215 flights throughout the month. The flights will primarily utilize Bombardier CRJ regional jets.
Another key route is from San Juan in Puerto Rico to Cyril E. King Airport in the US Virgin Islands, averaging 68 miles. JetBlue will operate the majority of these flights using Airbus A320 aircraft, supplemented by charter airline Fly2Sky.
Short Routes with High Frequency
In the 70 to 75 miles category, JetBlue will operate a daily route from Boston Logan Airport to the popular tourist destination of Martha’s Vineyard. This route will utilize Embraer 190 aircraft. Similarly, the busy flight from Denver to Colorado Springs, measuring 72 miles, will see United Airlines and Southwest Airlines providing significant capacity, with United scheduling 369 flights for the month.
Another notable route is from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to Capital Region International Airport in Michigan, which spans an average distance of 74 miles. This route is served exclusively by Delta Air Lines through SkyWest, using Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft.
American Airlines will operate the shortest route at 76 miles, linking Charlotte Douglas International Airport to Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport. This route will see a total of 273 flights throughout July, showcasing the high demand for short-haul travel within the region.
While many of these short routes primarily support communities separated by natural barriers, some are less geographically constrained, such as the Denver to Colorado Springs route. This highlights an unusual trend where well-connected areas also maintain commercial air service.
Overall, the scheduled flights in July 2025 reflect a growing trend in the aviation industry, where regional connections are becoming increasingly vital. The rise of shorter routes underscores the importance of air travel in linking communities and facilitating commerce, particularly in areas where land-based transportation options are limited.