Story Highlights
13 dots made a "b" for Brussels Airlines and number of African destinations
Flood of superstitious U.S., Italian customers complained it was bad luck
Airlines added one more ball to the 13-ball logo on the tail and sides of Airbus
Airline is successor to the merged SN Brussels and Virgin Express
ZAVENTEM, Belgium (AP) -- Thirteen dots looked just right to designer Ronane Hoet.
Together they had the perfect balance to form a stylized "b" for the new Belgian carrier Brussels Airlines and the number also matched the airline's destinations in Africa, a key market. "It was harmony," she said, wistfully.
This week, however, Brussels Airlines was busy changing the 13-ball logo on the tail and sides of one of its Airbus jets and adding a 14th one in response to complaints from superstitious customers in the United States and Italy.
"They said they were not pleased with an aircraft with a logo with 13 balls because they think it brings them bad luck," said Brussels Airlines spokesman Geert Sciot.
'Was it that bad?'
Hoet was baffled.
"We are never surprised by reactions -- but that it was that bad? It really took us aback," said Hoet.
...
Brussels Airlines had the choice to go to 12 dots or 14. It chose 14 because of the religious connotations of the 12 disciples.
Luckily, Brussels Airlines is not flying to China, where 14 is a definite no-no. Fourteen, or one-four, in Mandarin, sounds like the phrase "to want to die."
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/02/21....ap/index.html
Krijoni Kontakt