Ever Noticed Row 13 Missing On A Flight? No, It Is Not A Mistake

Last Updated:August 01, 2025, 12:09 IST

Some planes skip row 13, and this practice is shaped by global beliefs and superstitions that airlines choose to respect.

The fear of the number 13 is called triskaidekaphobia.

(Representative image / PTI)

If you have ever looked closely at the seat layout in an aircraft, you might have noticed something strange: a missing row number. Some planes skip directly from row 12 to row 14. This isn’t a mistake. It is a practice shaped by global beliefs and superstitions that airlines choose to respect.

While many might brush it off, numbers can hold deep meaning for some passengers. In a setting like air travel, where fear and anxiety are already common, these small adjustments are sometimes made to ease discomfort, even if it is psychological.

Why Airlines Skip Row 13

The fear of the number 13 is so widespread that it even has a name: triskaidekaphobia. According to Euro News, this superstition dates back to at least 1911, when it was mentioned in an American psychology journal. The belief that 13 brings bad luck has roots in religion, folklore and historical traditions.

Some say the fear began with the Last Supper, where Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, was believed to be the 13th guest. Others trace it to Norse mythology or even cultural patterns, where the number 12 often signifies completeness (think of 12 months or 12 zodiac signs). Because of this, 13 is often viewed as an odd or unnecessary addition.

Because of this belief, many airlines leave out row 13 to help passengers feel more at ease. When boarding, you might notice the seats go from row 12 to 14. For nervous or superstitious flyers, skipping this number can bring a small sense of comfort.

Row 17 And Other Global Beliefs

It is not just the number 13. In countries like Italy and Brazil, the number 17 is also viewed as unlucky. That is because in Roman numerals, 17 is written as XVII. Rearranged, it can spell VIXI, which in Latin means “I have lived,” a phrase interpreted as “my life is over.”

“As Lufthansa serves many passengers from around the world, we aim to respect different cultural beliefs as best as we can,” a representative from the German airline once explained.

In some aircraft, especially those flying international routes, you might see both rows 13 and 17 missing.

Which Airlines Follow This Practice?

Several major airlines skip row 13 on at least some of their aircraft. According to data cited by Simplyflying.com and Euro News, these include:

European carriers like Lufthansa, Ryanair, Iberia, ITA, KLM and Air France

Middle Eastern airlines such as Emirates and Qatar Airways

Asian carriers include Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways and Hong Kong Airlines

Lufthansa even tweeted in 2017, “Rows 13 and 17 are missing because these are considered unlucky numbers #bettersafethansorry.”

However, not all airlines follow this pattern. In the US, airlines like American, Delta and Southwest include row 13. United Airlines skips both 13 and 14 on many aircraft due to Chinese superstitions where “fourteen” can sound similar to “will die.” In UK, Virgin Atlantic omits row 13 but British Airways, easyJet and Jet2.com do not.

Flying Rituals Go Beyond Seat Numbers

Airline superstitions don’t stop at seating arrangements. Many passengers turn to personal rituals for comfort, such as wearing lucky socks, avoiding flights on Friday the 13th or touching the plane’s exterior before stepping inside.

A Euro News report mentioned that around 17 per cent of passengers feel calmer if they touch the outside of the aircraft before boarding. Some pilots have rituals too like eating the same meal before every flight or tapping the plane’s wing before take-off.

The report further cited data that flights from the UK to Europe can be up to 39 per cent cheaper on Friday the 13th, as some travellers avoid flying on this date.

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Buzz Staff

A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what’s creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.

A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what’s creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.

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