See inside the hidden airplane bunk rooms onboard Boeing's revolutionary 787 Dreamliner aircraft where pilots and flight attendants sleep

Thomas PalliniJun 27, 2023, 22:02 IST

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Pilots and flight attendants have their own compartments on wide-body aircraft where they get to rest on long-haul flights.
Crew rest areas are hidden away from the passenger cabin and are largely devoid of distractions to ensure maximum rest.

Long-haul flights are often the ideal setting for travelers to plug in and tune out as the miles pass outside the airplane window.

Flying American Airlines from New York to Madrid, Spain during the pandemic.Thomas Pallini/Insider

But not all who fly are doing so for leisure, especially those who are flying the plane and catering to passengers during the flight.

Flying on an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER from Dubai to New York via Milan, Italy.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Pilots and flight attendants are in work mode once they step onto an airplane and perform a variety of safety and service-related tasks, from making sure an aircraft is fit to fly to serving meals to passengers. And they need a break when a flight exceeds a certain duration.

An Etihad Airways Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner nicknamed the "Greenliner" at the Dubai Airshow 2021Thomas Pallini/Insider

Pilots and flight attendants are in work mode once they step onto an airplane and perform a variety of safety and service-related tasks, from making sure an aircraft is fit to fly to serving meals to passengers. And they need a break when a flight exceeds a certain duration.

Crew rest areas are hidden compartments where pilots and flight attendants can retreat for a few hours of shut-eye in between shifts.

Touring SAS Scandinavian Airlines' Airbus A350-900 XWB.Thomas Pallini/Insider

We went aboard two Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft and saw inside the secret bedrooms that flight and cabin crews use on long-haul flights. Here's what they were like.

A Gulf Air Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner at Dubai Airshow 2021.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Veritable bunk rooms in the sky, crew rest areas on wide-body aircraft such as the Dreamliner are minimalistic and only serve to ensure that crewmembers have a quiet area to take a break away from all passengers.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Veritable bunk rooms in the sky, crew rest areas on wide-body aircraft such as the Dreamliner are minimalistic and only serve to ensure that crewmembers have a quiet area to take a break away from all passengers.

Pilots and flight attendants have separate rest compartments. The rest area for pilots on the Dreamliner is located directly behind the cockpit, just a few steps outside of the cockpit door.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Pilots and flight attendants have separate rest compartments. The rest area for pilots on the Dreamliner is located directly behind the cockpit, just a few steps outside of the cockpit door.

Pilots very quickly go from being immersed in a technologically advanced flight deck to a very bare-bones rest area largely devoid of any technology.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Two bunks comprise the rest area complete with mattress pads and a pillow and blanket kit. A small dividing wall separates the two bunks if two pilots are using the space at a time.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Two bunks comprise the rest area complete with mattress pads and a pillow and blanket kit. A small dividing wall separates the two bunks if two pilots are using the space at a time.

Unlike in the passenger cabin below, there are no entertainment systems in the bunks, and pilots are simply expected to rest.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

There is, however, a 110v AC power outlet that can be used to charge devices.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Back in the cockpit, the other pair of pilots are monitoring the flight to ensure that everything is going according to plan. One set of crew is usually tasked with takeoff and landing while the other monitors the aircraft during cruise flight; though, each airline has its own rules.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Back in the cockpit, the other pair of pilots are monitoring the flight to ensure that everything is going according to plan. One set of crew is usually tasked with takeoff and landing while the other monitors the aircraft during cruise flight; though, each airline has its own rules.

There's also a standalone seat in the crew rest area for pilots to use that's about the same size as an economy seat.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

This seat, however, comes with its own entertainment screen, also similar to the one found in economy class.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

But pilots that are down for rest should be solely focused on just that rather than watching movies or playing games.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Rest areas primarily combat fatigue and not getting proper amounts of rest can affect a pilot's ability to fly.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

There's not much room for pilots to maneuver in the bunks but being able to lie flat is arguably more comfortable than sitting upright in a chair.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Hangars are available to hang up any coats or clothing.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

And a phone is available to communicate with other members of the crew without leaving the rest area.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Pilots can also control the temperature within the space down to the exact degree.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

And once it's time to fly again, it's just a short walk to the cockpit to relieve the other set of crew. Most passengers will never notice that a pilot has even left the cockpit thanks to the strategic location of the rest area.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

And once it's time to fly again, it's just a short walk to the cockpit to relieve the other set of crew. Most passengers will never notice that a pilot has even left the cockpit thanks to the strategic location of the rest area.

The crew rest for flight attendants, alternatively, is located in the very back of the Dreamliner next to the rear galley.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

A locked door that says “crew only” in capital letters ensures that wandering passengers can’t unknowingly find the space while looking for the lavatory.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

A locked door that says “crew only” in capital letters ensures that wandering passengers can’t unknowingly find the space while looking for the lavatory.

The entrance is discrete enough so that the average passenger won't notice a flight attendant climbing into the bunk when it's time for rest.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

It’s a steep climb up into the rest area that features six bunks.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Some flight attendants in the rest area will be resting just feet above where passengers sit in the economy class cabin.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

And just like in the pilot rest area, the space is similarly devoid of any entertainment or distraction as bunks only feature the essentials.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

There's very little room to stand and the bunk almost looks as if it's out of a science fiction movie given the minimal and modern aesthetic.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Each bunk is identical with a mattress pad accompanied by a pillow and blanket kit.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Curtains throughout the rest area offer a modicum of privacy as flight attendants take their breaks.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

The ultimate goal, once again, is for flight attendants to rest in this space so the fewer distractions, the better.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

There are no entertainment screens or even windows that might act as a distraction to rest.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

A phone in the rest area allows flight attendants to communicate with other members of the crew throughout the aircraft.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

And when it's time to return to the cabin, a small mirror lets flight attendants check their appearance before returning to work.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Some airlines don’t even need to use the crew rest areas that come standard on the aircraft. Gulf Air, for example, only flies as far as Bangkok, Thailand from its hub in Manama, Bahrain with a maximum scheduled flight time of around seven and a half hours.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Some airlines don’t even need to use the crew rest areas that come standard on the aircraft. Gulf Air, for example, only flies as far as Bangkok, Thailand from its hub in Manama, Bahrain with a maximum scheduled flight time of around seven and a half hours.

All of Gulf Air's other routes are short enough that flight attendants aren't required or don't need to rest in the dedicated crew rest area.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

But whether they use the space or not, flight attendants are still provided training that includes going up into the crew rest area.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

That training includes learning how to use the crew rest area's escape hatches — located directly above the last few rows of the economy class cabin — should the need arise.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

That training includes learning how to use the crew rest area's escape hatches — located directly above the last few rows of the economy class cabin — should the need arise.

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner models are intended for long-haul travel and can fly distances of up to 7,565 nautical miles. Flights on the aircraft as a result can last longer than 17 hours, well beyond the normal eight-hour working day.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner models are intended for long-haul travel and can fly distances of up to 7,565 nautical miles. Flights on the aircraft as a result can last longer than 17 hours, well beyond the normal eight-hour working day.

Qantas also once used the Dreamliner to fly from New York all the to Sydney, Australia., a nearly 20-hour flight during which rest was similarly a necessity.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Airlines like Qantas are pushing the bounds of aircraft technology to offer longer and longer non-stop flights, making these rest areas all the more important.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Different aircraft have different rest areas, some larger and some smaller than on the Dreamliner.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

But regardless of size, crew rest areas principle serve as quiet and private areas away from the distractions of the passenger cabin below.

Inside the crew rest area of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Thomas Pallini/Insider

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See inside the hidden airplane bunk rooms onboard Boeing's revolutionary 787 Dreamliner aircraft where pilots and flight attendants sleep

Long-haul flights are often the ideal setting for travelers to plug in and tune out as the miles pass outside the airplane window.

But not all who fly are doing so for leisure, especially those who are flying the plane and catering to passengers during the flight.

Pilots and flight attendants are in work mode once they step onto an airplane and perform a variety of safety and service-related tasks, from making sure an aircraft is fit to fly to serving meals to passengers. And they need a break when a flight exceeds a certain duration.

Crew rest areas are hidden compartments where pilots and flight attendants can retreat for a few hours of shut-eye in between shifts.

We went aboard two Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft and saw inside the secret bedrooms that flight and cabin crews use on long-haul flights. Here's what they were like.

Veritable bunk rooms in the sky, crew rest areas on wide-body aircraft such as the Dreamliner are minimalistic and only serve to ensure that crewmembers have a quiet area to take a break away from all passengers.

Pilots and flight attendants have separate rest compartments. The rest area for pilots on the Dreamliner is located directly behind the cockpit, just a few steps outside of the cockpit door.

Pilots very quickly go from being immersed in a technologically advanced flight deck to a very bare-bones rest area largely devoid of any technology.

Two bunks comprise the rest area complete with mattress pads and a pillow and blanket kit. A small dividing wall separates the two bunks if two pilots are using the space at a time.

Unlike in the passenger cabin below, there are no entertainment systems in the bunks, and pilots are simply expected to rest.

There is, however, a 110v AC power outlet that can be used to charge devices.

Back in the cockpit, the other pair of pilots are monitoring the flight to ensure that everything is going according to plan. One set of crew is usually tasked with takeoff and landing while the other monitors the aircraft during cruise flight; though, each airline has its own rules.

There's also a standalone seat in the crew rest area for pilots to use that's about the same size as an economy seat.

This seat, however, comes with its own entertainment screen, also similar to the one found in economy class.

But pilots that are down for rest should be solely focused on just that rather than watching movies or playing games.

Rest areas primarily combat fatigue and not getting proper amounts of rest can affect a pilot's ability to fly.

There's not much room for pilots to maneuver in the bunks but being able to lie flat is arguably more comfortable than sitting upright in a chair.

Hangars are available to hang up any coats or clothing.

And a phone is available to communicate with other members of the crew without leaving the rest area.

Pilots can also control the temperature within the space down to the exact degree.

And once it's time to fly again, it's just a short walk to the cockpit to relieve the other set of crew. Most passengers will never notice that a pilot has even left the cockpit thanks to the strategic location of the rest area.

The crew rest for flight attendants, alternatively, is located in the very back of the Dreamliner next to the rear galley.

A locked door that says “crew only” in capital letters ensures that wandering passengers can’t unknowingly find the space while looking for the lavatory.

The entrance is discrete enough so that the average passenger won't notice a flight attendant climbing into the bunk when it's time for rest.

It’s a steep climb up into the rest area that features six bunks.

Some flight attendants in the rest area will be resting just feet above where passengers sit in the economy class cabin.

And just like in the pilot rest area, the space is similarly devoid of any entertainment or distraction as bunks only feature the essentials.

There's very little room to stand and the bunk almost looks as if it's out of a science fiction movie given the minimal and modern aesthetic.

Each bunk is identical with a mattress pad accompanied by a pillow and blanket kit.

Curtains throughout the rest area offer a modicum of privacy as flight attendants take their breaks.

The ultimate goal, once again, is for flight attendants to rest in this space so the fewer distractions, the better.

There are no entertainment screens or even windows that might act as a distraction to rest.

A phone in the rest area allows flight attendants to communicate with other members of the crew throughout the aircraft.

And when it's time to return to the cabin, a small mirror lets flight attendants check their appearance before returning to work.

Some airlines don’t even need to use the crew rest areas that come standard on the aircraft. Gulf Air, for example, only flies as far as Bangkok, Thailand from its hub in Manama, Bahrain with a maximum scheduled flight time of around seven and a half hours.

All of Gulf Air's other routes are short enough that flight attendants aren't required or don't need to rest in the dedicated crew rest area.

But whether they use the space or not, flight attendants are still provided training that includes going up into the crew rest area.

That training includes learning how to use the crew rest area's escape hatches — located directly above the last few rows of the economy class cabin — should the need arise.

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner models are intended for long-haul travel and can fly distances of up to 7,565 nautical miles. Flights on the aircraft as a result can last longer than 17 hours, well beyond the normal eight-hour working day.

Qantas also once used the Dreamliner to fly from New York all the to Sydney, Australia., a nearly 20-hour flight during which rest was similarly a necessity.

Airlines like Qantas are pushing the bounds of aircraft technology to offer longer and longer non-stop flights, making these rest areas all the more important.

Different aircraft have different rest areas, some larger and some smaller than on the Dreamliner.

But regardless of size, crew rest areas principle serve as quiet and private areas away from the distractions of the passenger cabin below.