I went inside a hidden room where flight attendants sleep on long-haul flights. I was amazed by its small size and comfy beds.

Monica HumphriesJul 23, 2022, 16:46 IST

Insider's author explored the hidden room where Air New Zealand flight attendants rest on long-haul flights on Boeing 777-300ERs.Monica Humphries/Insider

On Air New Zealand's Boeing 777-300ER, flight attendants rest in a room hidden above economy class.
Before my 12-hour flight, I explored the secret bedroom with the in-service flight manager.

On Air New Zealand's long-haul flights from the US, a flight attendant's job doesn't pause until the plane's completed takeoff, dinner service is finished, and passengers are resting. And even then, their breaks last only a couple of hours.

An Air New Zealand flight attendant prepares for passengers to board the plane.Monica Humphries/Insider

On Air New Zealand's long-haul flights from the US, a flight attendant's job doesn't pause until the plane's completed takeoff, dinner service is finished, and passengers are resting. And even then, their breaks last only a couple of hours.

I was curious where they rest. So on a recent 12-hour flight from New Zealand to Los Angeles, I boarded an Air New Zealand Boeing 777-300ER early to view the crew area that's typically off limits to passengers.

The author in her business-class seat on an Air New Zealand flight.Monica Humphries/Insider

I was curious where they rest. So on a recent 12-hour flight from New Zealand to Los Angeles, I boarded an Air New Zealand Boeing 777-300ER early to view the crew area that's typically off limits to passengers.

Sarita Rami, the in-service manager for my flight, met me at the entrance of the plane. Together, we navigated to the crew rest area.

Sarita Rami walks through the cabin on Air New Zealand's Boeing 777-300ER.Monica Humphries/Insider

We walked past business class, premium economy, and the last row of economy seats, into the rear galley.

The beds are located at the very back of the plane in the galley.Monica Humphries/Insider

Here, at the very back of the plane, Rami approached a door camouflaged in the wall. After pressing a sequence of buttons, a latch popped open revealing a steep stairwell.

Sarita Rami unlocks the door to the secret plane bedrooms for flight attendants.Monica Humphries/Insider

Here, at the very back of the plane, Rami approached a door camouflaged in the wall. After pressing a sequence of buttons, a latch popped open revealing a steep stairwell.

Each step was covered in a non-slip tread that led up to a bedroom for flight attendants. I grabbed onto the handrail and scaled the steps.

A view of the stairs the flight attendants take to get to their beds.Monica Humphries/Insider

As I entered the rest area, I was surprised by its small size. While the room was large enough to fit eight beds, I thought it felt cramped with its low ceilings and narrow hallways.

A view of the entire room for flight attendants.Monica Humphries/Insider

As I entered the rest area, I was surprised by its small size. While the room was large enough to fit eight beds, I thought it felt cramped with its low ceilings and narrow hallways.

At 5 feet and 8 inches, I was too tall to stand upright comfortably. Instead, I crouched and crawled around the dimly-lit room

The author crouches in the hidden rest area for flight attendants.Monica Humphries/Insider

While there are eight beds, Rami said usually six are occupied at once. That's because the typical long-haul flight has 12 flight attendants who take breaks in shifts once meal service is finished, she said.

Behind the entrance are eight beds for the flight attendants.Monica Humphries/Insider

While there are eight beds, Rami said usually six are occupied at once. That's because the typical long-haul flight has 12 flight attendants who take breaks in shifts once meal service is finished, she said.

When it's their turn to rest, a flight attendant will open the locked door, climb up the stairs, and pick one of the eight bunk bed-style nooks for their two-and-a-half-hour break.

The beds in the secret plane bedroom.Monica Humphries/Insider

When it's their turn to rest, a flight attendant will open the locked door, climb up the stairs, and pick one of the eight bunk bed-style nooks for their two-and-a-half-hour break.

Rami also told me that the room can't be used during takeoff and landing. While the rest of the aircraft cabin is pressurized during these times, she said there's no ventilation in the bedroom space until the aircraft reaches 25,000 feet.

A sign indicates that flight attendants shouldn't use the room during taxi, landing, and takeoff.Monica Humphries/Insideer

Rami also told me that the room can't be used during takeoff and landing. While the rest of the aircraft cabin is pressurized during these times, she said there's no ventilation in the bedroom space until the aircraft reaches 25,000 feet.

As the flight manager, Rami told me her bed comes with a telephone to communicate with the pilots and the rest of the crew.

As the flight manager, Sarita Rami sleeps in the first bed, which is the only one with a phone.Monica Humphries/Insider

Every sleeping nook has a heavy curtain designed to dampen the sound, block out light, and create a sense of privacy.

Each bedroom has its own privacy curtain.Monica Humphries/Insider

Each bed has a seat belt for potential turbulence, with blankets and pillows strapped underneath.

The beds also have seat belts.Monica Humphries/Insider

I spotted a mirror and two storage compartments inside each nook …

Each bed area has small storage compartments and a mirror.Monica Humphries/Insider

… as well as a panel to control the lighting in the sleeping space.

The flight attendants can control the light and air flow from their bed.Monica Humphries/Insider

Rami allowed me to crawl into her bed, and it felt surprisingly cozy. It wasn't nearly as supportive as my mattress back home, but I thought the thick mattress topper was comfy enough for a nap.

The author in the secret bedroom area for flight attendants.Monica Humphries/Insider

Rami allowed me to crawl into her bed, and it felt surprisingly cozy. It wasn't nearly as supportive as my mattress back home, but I thought the thick mattress topper was comfy enough for a nap.

Once out of the bed, I moved to the front of the room, where there was another mirror and storage for flight attendants to stash their personal belongings.

More storage for the flight attendants while they sleep.Monica Humphries/Insider

Also in the front was a control panel for the room's temperature and an outlet.

The temperature control panel.Monica Humphries/Insider

At the very back of the cabin, I noticed a closet. Rami told me it's for uniform storage.

An arrow points to the closet in the back of the crew rest area.Monica Humphries/Insider

Besides the lights and mirrors, the cabin rest area appeared bare. There were no windows, and I didn't spot any TVs for entertainment. Rami said that's because the flight attendant's main focus in the room is relaxing and resting.

In each bed area, there were only pillows, blankets, and some small storage compartments.Monica Humphries/Insider

Besides the lights and mirrors, the cabin rest area appeared bare. There were no windows, and I didn't spot any TVs for entertainment. Rami said that's because the flight attendant's main focus in the room is relaxing and resting.

Rami said she usually falls asleep during her break. Other flight attendants onboard told me they struggle to sleep on planes, so they just use their breaks to rest.

An Air New Zealand flight attendant passed out warm towels to business-class travelers.Monica Humphries/Insider

Sure enough, as I walked around the airplane before I went to sleep, I noticed fewer flight attendants in the cabin than during dinner service.

The economy-class cabin after dinner service was finished.Monica Humphries/Insider

After watching them prepare the cabin, serve dinner, and complete countless behind-the-scenes tasks, I was glad to know these hard-working flight attendants had a comfortable place to take a well-earned break.

The author with in-service flight manager Sarita Rami.Monica Humphries/Insider

After watching them prepare the cabin, serve dinner, and complete countless behind-the-scenes tasks, I was glad to know these hard-working flight attendants had a comfortable place to take a well-earned break.

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I went inside a hidden room where flight attendants sleep on long-haul flights. I was amazed by its small size and comfy beds.

On Air New Zealand's long-haul flights from the US, a flight attendant's job doesn't pause until the plane's completed takeoff, dinner service is finished, and passengers are resting. And even then, their breaks last only a couple of hours.

I was curious where they rest. So on a recent 12-hour flight from New Zealand to Los Angeles, I boarded an Air New Zealand Boeing 777-300ER early to view the crew area that's typically off limits to passengers.

Sarita Rami, the in-service manager for my flight, met me at the entrance of the plane. Together, we navigated to the crew rest area.

We walked past business class, premium economy, and the last row of economy seats, into the rear galley.

Here, at the very back of the plane, Rami approached a door camouflaged in the wall. After pressing a sequence of buttons, a latch popped open revealing a steep stairwell.

Each step was covered in a non-slip tread that led up to a bedroom for flight attendants. I grabbed onto the handrail and scaled the steps.

As I entered the rest area, I was surprised by its small size. While the room was large enough to fit eight beds, I thought it felt cramped with its low ceilings and narrow hallways.

At 5 feet and 8 inches, I was too tall to stand upright comfortably. Instead, I crouched and crawled around the dimly-lit room

While there are eight beds, Rami said usually six are occupied at once. That's because the typical long-haul flight has 12 flight attendants who take breaks in shifts once meal service is finished, she said.

When it's their turn to rest, a flight attendant will open the locked door, climb up the stairs, and pick one of the eight bunk bed-style nooks for their two-and-a-half-hour break.

Rami also told me that the room can't be used during takeoff and landing. While the rest of the aircraft cabin is pressurized during these times, she said there's no ventilation in the bedroom space until the aircraft reaches 25,000 feet.

As the flight manager, Rami told me her bed comes with a telephone to communicate with the pilots and the rest of the crew.

Every sleeping nook has a heavy curtain designed to dampen the sound, block out light, and create a sense of privacy.

Each bed has a seat belt for potential turbulence, with blankets and pillows strapped underneath.

I spotted a mirror and two storage compartments inside each nook …

… as well as a panel to control the lighting in the sleeping space.

Rami allowed me to crawl into her bed, and it felt surprisingly cozy. It wasn't nearly as supportive as my mattress back home, but I thought the thick mattress topper was comfy enough for a nap.

Once out of the bed, I moved to the front of the room, where there was another mirror and storage for flight attendants to stash their personal belongings.

Also in the front was a control panel for the room's temperature and an outlet.

At the very back of the cabin, I noticed a closet. Rami told me it's for uniform storage.

Besides the lights and mirrors, the cabin rest area appeared bare. There were no windows, and I didn't spot any TVs for entertainment. Rami said that's because the flight attendant's main focus in the room is relaxing and resting.

Rami said she usually falls asleep during her break. Other flight attendants onboard told me they struggle to sleep on planes, so they just use their breaks to rest.

Sure enough, as I walked around the airplane before I went to sleep, I noticed fewer flight attendants in the cabin than during dinner service.

After watching them prepare the cabin, serve dinner, and complete countless behind-the-scenes tasks, I was glad to know these hard-working flight attendants had a comfortable place to take a well-earned break.