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The Superstition Behind the Missing Row 13 in Airplanes, Explained by Cabin Crew

17 September, 2024

Henny Lim, a Cebu Pacific flight attendant from the Philippines, often shares stories and photos about her job, as well as travel tips, on social media. She has gained a significant following and support from netizens.

Henny Lim revealed why there is usually no 13th row on airplanes. Photo: DM

Recently, her video revealing why there is usually no 13th row of seats on airplanes caught the attention of many netizens.

“In the culture of many places around the world, the number 13 is considered unlucky and associated with bad luck. Therefore, many airlines skip the number 13 and go straight to 14,” she shared.

This practice provides peace of mind for some passengers when flying.

However, 13 is not the only number that is skipped. Some airplanes also do not have a 14th or 17th row. Lufthansa is one of the airlines that omit the 17th row on their planes.

A spokesperson for Lufthansa explained, “In some countries, such as Italy and Brazil, the unlucky number is 17 instead of 13.

“As we welcome passengers from all over the world, we try to take into account as many cultures as possible so that no passenger feels uncomfortable if they happen to be seated in a row considered unlucky in their cultural belief system.”

Depending on the airline, they may choose to skip rows 13, 14, and 17 or keep them. Not all airlines follow this rule.

According to Vietnamnet

Frequently asked questions

It is a common superstition that the number 13 is associated with bad luck. This superstition has led many airlines to skip row 13 when numbering the rows in their airplanes.

Yes, this superstition is also observed in other industries such as hospitality and construction. For example, some hotels skip room number 13 or label it as ’12A’ to avoid potential negative connotations.

While the main reason is superstition, there may be practical considerations as well. For example, some airlines might use the absence of row 13 to easily designate an area for specific purposes, such as providing extra space for cabin crew or accommodating passengers with special needs.

No, not all airlines adhere to this practice. Some airlines choose to include row 13 like any other numbered row. It ultimately depends on the preferences and policies of individual airlines.

Aviation, like many other industries, has its own set of superstitions and beliefs. For example, some pilots and crew members might carry lucky charms or follow specific rituals before takeoff to ensure a safe and smooth flight.