Why no row 17?

Factual Questions
1

I recently travelled to Europe and Asia. While on a flight from Milan to Frankfort (and from there to Istanbul), I noticed two things I found strange.

First, there was no first class, business class or other in the plane. Perhaps the Germans have decided that they will treat all the way Marx would have it: egalitarianly (word?).

More disturbingly, though, there was no row 17. There was now row 13 either, and I understant all the superstitious Christian claptrap that surrounds that. The Jews whaking God’s son who was the 13th invitee to a dinner party and all…

But why no row 17? Is there some similar Teutonic superstition I don’t understand? Or do Germans just not like the number 17?

Now for the details:

I flew four legs on Lufthansa: Milan - Frankfort, Frankfort - Istanbul, Istanbul - Frankfort, and Frankfort - Milan. All were on A-321s. Perhaps it is an issue with Airbus, but I have flown on other Airbus planes and they had not eliminated row 17. I only noticed the lack of a row 17 on the 2nd leg of that part of my journey. But neither of the planes on the last two legs had a row 17.

Row 17 was not omitted because of a bulkhead. As I said, the Germans seem to believe in egalitarianism.

2

I don’t know if this is why, by the ancient Romans thought 17 to be bad luck similar to the way 13 is viewed. 17 in Roman numerals is XVII, which is an anagram of VIXI, Latin for “I lived.” The idea being that if you lived, you’re obviously not anymore. Thus the bad luck regarding it. I know it sounds weird, but that’s what I heard from my Italian professor.

3

Protestilaus,

Hmmm… It’s an explanation and I do appreciate it. It’s far better than I have come up with. I am still a little skeptical, though. I would like to have some more corroboration. Thank you, though.

Oscar

4

additionally, Alitalia did not omit row 17 on their 747s that I travelled on.