Ahead of the final Friday 13th of 2024, new research reveals that more than 14 million Brits refuse to board a flight on the unlucky day.
The study, by Paddy Power Bingo, quizzed the nation on their thoughts and feelings around Friday 13th, finding that 21% actively avoid flying on the dreaded date.
Other than not flying, more than a tenth of respondents stay away from making significant purchases (e.g. a house or a car), with not hosting/attending a social event (9%), stay away from a hospital/doctor (9%) and not traveling by car (9%) completing the top five.
And 8% of Brits would even avoid leaving their own house at all on the day, to side-step any bad luck that may come their way.
Top 10 activities Brits avoid doing on Friday 13th:
| Rank | Things that Brits avoid on Friday 13th | Percentage of Brits |
| 1 | Boarding a flight | 21% |
| 2 | Making significant purchases (e.g., house, car) | 13% |
| 3 | Hosting or attending a social event | 9% |
| 4 | Visiting a hospital or doctor | 9% |
| 5 | Travelling by car | 9% |
| 6 | Travelling by train | 8% |
| 7 | Leaving the house | 8% |
| 8 | Starting a new job | 8% |
| 9 | Going to the office | 6% |
| 10 | Walking their dog | 4% |
The survey also asked Brits what major life events they would miss if it was scheduled on Friday 13th, with 12% admitting they wouldn’t move house on this day.
This is closely followed by 11% confessing they would miss a family gathering if it was scheduled on Friday 13th and 9% willing to miss a birthday party.
When it comes to where the most superstitious Brits are, it’s those in Oxford who are the most fearful, with 14% admitting they dread it – followed by Edinburgh (12%) and Belfast (10%).
This is compared to residents in Cambridge, Cardiff, and Southampton who appear far calmer, with only 2% worrying about the date.
A spokesperson for Paddy Power Bingo said: “With 14 million Brits refusing to board a flight on Friday 13th, it’s clear that superstition is still alive and well at 30,000 feet. The fateful day seems to have the power to keep more Brits grounded than Storm Darragh!
“And it’s not just planes feeling the superstition strain as 11% even skipping a family gathering. So, whether it’s dodging ladders, black cats, or your Aunt Sue’s questionable casserole, Friday the 13th seems to be the ultimate excuse for staying put.”
