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Data Contradict Friday the 13th Superstition as Flight Disruptions Tick Up

Flight bookings for June 13 have dropped 11% with airlines reporting a slight rise in delays despite no uptick in accident rates

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An einem Freitag, dem 13., passieren dem Versicherer BarmeniaGothaer zufolge nicht mehr Unfälle als an anderen Tagen. Dessen Statistik belegt eher das Gegenteil. Der 13. Juni fällt in diesem Jahr auf einen Freitag.
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Overview

  • Thomas W. Lawson’s 1907 novel and centuries-old Christian associations popularized the idea of Friday the 13th as an unlucky day in Western culture.
  • ADAC and Zurich Gruppe analyses show no significant increase in traffic accidents on Fridays falling on the 13th, with some data indicating marginally fewer serious collisions.
  • Kayak data reveal an 11% decline in searches for flights departing June 13, while Airhelp figures show a 35% delay rate on recent Friday the 13th dates, compared with 33% on other Fridays.
  • Perceptions vary worldwide: Japan embraces 13 as a lucky number, Italy treats Friday the 17th as unlucky, and some Spanish and Greek traditions fear Tuesday the 13th.
  • Paraskavedekatriaphobia, the fear of Friday the 13th, persists among about 11% of Germans and continues to shape travel choices and everyday behaviour.