The Curious Case of Friday the 13th: A Flight's Unusual Tale
Friday the 13th, a day notoriously feared by many, brings with it a myriad of superstitions and oddities. From haunted mansions to abandoned hotels, one might wonder if boarding a flight on such a day is advisable. Let’s explore some personal experiences and delve into the question: would you board flight 666 to HEL (Helsinki) on Friday the 13th?
My Own Experience: Flight 666 to HEL on Friday the 13th
I personally wouldn’t hesitate to board a flight labeled as flight 666 to HEL on a day of Friday the 13th, but I wonder what it would be like to take flight 50/50 covering runway 13 in Hell, Michigan. The idea sounds intriguing, yet the practicality is questionable.
Considering travel on Friday the 13th, the answer is usually a cautious “no.” The day is infamous for pricey flights due to the high number of bookings. If forced to travel on this day, I would prioritize my comfort and likely choose a premium seat for the whole duration to avoid potential annoyances. Additionally, there's a significant chance that the flight might be less crowded, providing more space and fewer unexpected guests like goths and emo hipsters.
Throughout my travels, I have experienced four commercial flights on a Friday the 13th purely by coincidence. The first flight from Dallas/Ft. Worth to Atlanta was nearly empty, and I had a full row to myself. The subsequent flight from Atlanta to Toronto was also mostly unoccupied, allowing for a comfortable journey.
Travel Experiences and Superstitions
Traveling on Friday the 13th, whether planned or coincidental, always brings an air of intrigue. Once, when traveling from Madrid to Toronto and then from Toronto to Ottawa, the first leg was packed, while the second was cancelled due to a lack of interest. Yet, by the evening, the remaining passengers boarded a more crowded flight, leaving less room for personal space.
These experiences have taught me that the day of the week often determines the availability and comfort of my flights. Interestingly, an incident from a previous trip to Hong Kong also highlights the cultural significance of numbers in travel. In this city, hotels and buildings didn’t exhibit the number 4, but floor 13 was prominently featured. Interestingly, this is due to the number 4 being considered unlucky in East Asia as it sounds almost like a homonym for “death.”
Conclusion: A Balanced View
Flying on a Friday the 13th is a mix of fear and excitement. While the day is often perceived as unlucky, the experiences shared here show that it doesn’t always align with superstitions. Crowding, pricing, and comfort levels can vary widely depending on the specific day of the week and the route taken.
Would you board a flight on Friday the 13th? Would you consider it a lucky or unlucky day to travel? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.