Vienna-Bratislava flight to take less than 20 minutes _ but is bus faster?

VIENNA – A new flight between the capitals of Austria and Slovakia may be the world's shortest with less than 20 minutes in the air. But considering the ride to the airport and check-in time, it may be faster to take the bus.

The Vienna-Bratislava flight by Air Berlin subsidiary Niki launches April 1 and will cover less than 50 kilometers (30 miles). On Monday, state broadcaster ORF called it the shortest commercial route in the world.

But it's a 15 minute drive to the airport from downtown Bratislava, and 20 minutes from Vienna. That and early arrival for check-in mean the intercity bus trip of about an hour should be quicker — and definitely a lot cheaper.

Niki officials say the flights make sense for those taking connecting flights from Vienna.