Owais Crawford
Gate numbers are written on passengers' boarding passes, and they are used to separate passengers with upcoming flights from other passengers. However, some airports skip certain gate numbers. This can be due to superstition, as is the case with gate 13, which is often considered unlucky. It can also be because the airport wants to allow for future expansion, or because of the configuration of the pier. In some cases, it may be because the gate can be split between two smaller aircraft or combined for a larger one.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Superstition | Some airports skip the number 13, which is considered unlucky. |
| In Italy, 17 is considered unlucky, and some Italian airlines do not have a row 17. | |
| Ferdinand Marcos' numerology beliefs may have influenced the design of Terminal 1 in MNL, which does not have gates 8 or 13. | |
| Convenience | Airports may skip numbers to always keep higher gate numbers further down the pier for passenger convenience. |
| Configuration | Odd and even numbers may be on opposite sides of the pier, and numbers may be skipped where there is more space between gates. |
| Expansion | Airports may skip numbers to allow for future expansion without having to renumber gates. |
| Cost | Airports may not want to spend funds on renumbering gates. |
| Aircraft size | Gates may be split or combined to accommodate smaller or larger aircraft. |
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What You'll Learn
Superstition and bad luck
Many airports around the world skip certain gate numbers, often to avoid bad luck and superstition. For instance, Terminal 1 of MNL airport does not have a Gate 8 or a Gate 13, which is rumoured to be influenced by Ferdinand Marcos' numerology beliefs. Las Vegas (LAS) also does not have a Gate 13 in any of its concourses, perhaps due to the city's association with gambling and bad luck.
Some people believe that skipping certain gate numbers, such as 13, is a harmless tradition that caters to customers' preferences and avoids any potential bad luck. This belief in superstition and bad luck related to specific numbers is also observed in Italy, where the number 17 is considered unlucky, and some Alitalia planes do not have a row 17.
Airports may also skip gate numbers for practical reasons, such as to match gate numbers to parking position numbers or to allow for future expansion. For instance, an airport may initially build the centre section, leaving room for future wings on either side without needing to renumber the gates. In some cases, odd and even gate numbers may be on opposite sides of the pier, and larger spacing between gates may result in skipped numbers to ensure that higher gate numbers are always further down the pier.
Additionally, gate numbers can be skipped when a gate can be split between two smaller aircraft or combined for a larger one. For example, gates 86 and 86A can be used for smaller aircraft, but when combined for a larger aircraft with a wider wingspan, only gate 86 may be used.
While some people may view the skipping of certain gate numbers as giving in to superstition, it is often a practical decision made by airports for convenience, expansion, or catering to customer preferences.
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Convenience for passengers
For example, some airports have odd-numbered gates on one side and even-numbered gates on the other. However, due to the configuration of the pier, there may be more space between each gate on one side. In this case, airports may skip numbers on the side with larger spacing to always keep the higher numbers further down the pier. This way, passengers always know that the higher gate numbers are further down the pier.
Additionally, some airports start numbering gates from the middle, allowing for future expansion in either direction without needing to renumber all the gates. For instance, an airport may begin gate numbers at 50, with the idea that the concourse could expand from 50 to gate 1 in one direction or gate 99 in the other direction. This approach avoids the need for renumbering and helps passengers by keeping the original gate numbers.
Airports may also skip certain numbers considered unlucky, such as 13, to cater to passengers' superstitions or cultural beliefs. For instance, Las Vegas (LAS) does not have a gate 13 in any of its concourses, perhaps due to the city's association with gambling. Similarly, some planes do not have a row 13, although they have a 13th row without the number "13".
Furthermore, gate numbers are often marked on the outside of terminals, making them visible from a distance or in low light. This helps passengers locate their assigned gates more easily, especially when combined with signs, screens, and announcements within the airport.
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Configuration of the pier
The configuration of the pier is a key factor in determining gate numbers at airports. The pier is the structure that extends out from the main terminal building and houses the gates and jet bridges. At some airports, the pier may be designed with odd-numbered gates on one side and even-numbered gates on the other. This arrangement can result in larger spacing between certain gates, particularly on the side with the higher gate numbers.
To maintain a logical and convenient numbering system, airports may choose to skip certain gate numbers on the side with larger spacing. This ensures that passengers can easily identify the direction they need to walk to reach their gate, as the higher gate numbers will always be further down the pier. For example, if there is a larger gap between Gate 3 and Gate 4 due to the pier configuration, the airport may choose to skip Gate 4 and label the next gate as Gate 5. This maintains a clear and intuitive numbering sequence for passengers.
The spacing and configuration of the pier can also impact the ability to accommodate different aircraft sizes. In some cases, a single large gate may be split into two smaller gates (e.g., Gate 86 and Gate 86A) to cater to smaller aircraft. Alternatively, these smaller gates can be combined to accommodate a larger aircraft when needed. This flexibility in gate configuration allows airports to efficiently manage varying aircraft sizes and types.
Additionally, the design of the pier may allow for future expansion. Some airports build the central section of the pier first, leaving room for future expansion on either side. This approach avoids the need to renumber the gates when new wings are added. For example, an airport may initially number its gates from 50 to 99, with the intention that the numbers will count down to Gate 1 as the pier expands westward and upward to Gate 99 as it expands eastward.
In summary, the configuration of the pier plays a significant role in determining gate numbers and spacing at airports. Airports may skip certain gate numbers to maintain a logical and convenient numbering system, especially when dealing with varying aircraft sizes and future expansion plans. By considering the layout and design of the pier, airports can enhance the overall efficiency and convenience of passenger movement.
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Expansion of the airport
Airports may skip gate numbers to allow for future expansion. For example, an airport may initially build out the centre section, leaving space for future wings on either side without needing to renumber the gates. This is the case at Denver airport, where the gate numbers start at 50, with the idea that full westward expansion would reach gate 1, and eastward expansion would reach gate 99.
Skipping numbers can also be attributed to the configuration of the pier. For instance, odd numbers may be on one side and even numbers on the other, but due to the pier's configuration, there may be more space between each gate on one side. In such cases, airports may skip numbering the side with larger spacing to always keep the higher numbers further down the pier for passenger convenience.
Superstition and numerology beliefs may also influence the absence of certain gate numbers. For instance, Las Vegas (LAS) does not have a gate 13 in any of its concourses, perhaps due to the association of the number with bad luck. Similarly, Terminal 1 at MNL does not have a Gate 8 or Gate 13, which may be influenced by Ferdinand Marcos' numerology beliefs.
In other cases, the use of non-sequential gate numbers may be attributed to the need to accommodate different aircraft sizes. For instance, a gate that can be used for a larger aircraft may be split into two smaller gates, resulting in the addition of letters to the original gate number (e.g., 86 and 86A).
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Gates for smaller aircraft
Gates at airports are areas that control access to a passenger aircraft. While the exact specifications vary from airport to airport and country to country, most gates consist of a seated waiting area, a counter, and a doorway leading to the aircraft. A gate may be a contact gate, providing access by way of a jet bridge, or a ground-loaded gate, providing a path for passengers to leave the building and board via mobile stairs or airstairs built into the aircraft. A jet bridge is an enclosed connector that extends from the airport terminal gate to the aircraft, allowing passengers to board and disembark without going outside.
At smaller airports, smaller aircraft are often boarded from the ground level via airstairs. This is also the case at larger airports when smaller aircraft are involved. In some cases, smaller aircraft may also use jet bridges, which can be adjusted to accommodate aircraft of different sizes. The cabin at the end of the loading bridge can be raised or lowered, extended or retracted, and may pivot to accommodate different aircraft.
Some airports, especially smaller ones, try to match gate numbers to parking position numbers. This could explain why some gates have higher numbers, as parking positions 1 through 23, for example, may be in use away from the terminal. Additionally, some gates can be split to accommodate two smaller aircraft, with each aircraft using the same entrance and exit into the terminal. In the case of larger aircraft, these gates can be combined, with one gate number being used.
There are several reasons why airports may skip gate numbers. One reason could be to allow for future expansion. For example, an airport may build out the center section first, leaving room for future wings on either side without having to renumber the gates. Another reason could be that the gates are leased by different airlines, and the airline may not want to renumber their gates if a competitor splits one of their gates. Finally, some airports may skip certain numbers that are considered unlucky, such as 13 or 17.
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Frequently asked questions
Airports may skip gate numbers to allow for future expansion. For example, an airport may build out the center section first, leaving room for future wings on either side without needing to renumber the gates.
No, some airports do number their gates sequentially.
Yes, in MNL Terminal 1, there are no Gate 8 or Gate 13. This is rumoured to be influenced by Ferdinand Marcos' numerology beliefs. Las Vegas (LAS) also does not have a Gate 13 in any of its concourses, possibly due to the number's association with bad luck.
Yes, sometimes it is to accommodate larger aircraft. For example, two smaller gates may be combined to fit a larger aircraft, and the larger gate formed by the combination takes on a new number.
Yes, sometimes it is simply to match gate numbers to parking position numbers, which are not always the same.
