Air passenger odd behaviours: Top 10 superstitions when flying

More air passengers are superstitious than you might think, with a recent survey finding that sixty-five per cent of holidaymakers indulge in a practice before boarding in the belief it would keep them from harm.

Touching the outside of a plane and carrying a good luck mascot on board are apparently the most popular ways in which passengers say they try and court good fortune.

The survey by the booking website sunshine.co.uk asked 1894 fliers about their attitudes toward flying and what if anything they did regularly before getting onto a plane.

Below are the ten most popular superstitions that, if unlikely to save your life, might at least make you feel better about flying.

1. Touching outside of plane before getting on: 17 per cent

2. Taking a good luck charm/mascot onto the flight: 15 per cent

3. Refusing to sit in certain seat numbers: 14 per cent

4. Reciting prayers or mantras: 11 per cent

5. Only flying at certain times: 8 per cent

6. Only flying with certain airlines: 8 per cent

7. Holding hands to ensure safe take off/landing: 6 per cent

8. Sticking to a certain routine (e.g. ordering same drink): 5 per cent

9. Only flying from a certain airport: 3 per cent

10. Not flying on certain dates (e.g. Friday 13th): 2 per cent

The Telegraph, London

See also: The truth about being a flight attendant