Perhaps you have noticed in the search for seats on airplanes that after row 12, the number 14 follows directly, as various airlines omit the infamous number 13, which in areas of Christian tradition is historically said to destabilize harmony, since the traitor Judas was the 13th at the Last Supper.

However, the number 13 is not considered a lucky number in all cultures; in the Jewish faith, on the contrary, it is even regarded as a lucky number.

Other cultural circles, such as in Brazil or Italy, see the 17 as an ill omen, and airlines take these various beliefs into account.

"Ugh, superstition," some might think now, it's really out of touch with the times – but just when flying, people are unconsciously more stressed than usual, and that leaves a lot of room for irrational fears, as well as real issues, like fear of flying or claustrophobia.

For this reason, many airlines want to address in advance issues that could trigger some passengers.

This includes the supposed unlucky numbers 13 and 17.

In the airlines Lufthansa, Swiss, Air France, Continental Airlines, Singapore Airlines, or Air New Zealand, there are no rows of seats 13 to avoid further stressing passengers.

Other providers do not take such superstitious thoughts into account, for example at Tuifly or Condor, "the omission of certain numbers in the numbering is not implemented," explains a spokesperson for Condor.

Therefore, anyone who does not want to end up in 13 or 17 in any way must carefully check during online check-in where the system has placed them...