See inside the secret aircraft cabin where flight attendants sleep on long-haul journeys on an Airbus A350

Taylor Rains,Stephen JonesSep 18, 2022, 18:15 IST

A350 flight attendant rest area.Taylor Rains/Insider

The US Federal Aviation Administration governs the minimum rest time pilots and flight attendants get between shifts.
Flight attendant crew rest is on track to increase to 10 hours, pending the outcome of a proposed FAA rule.

Flying can be exhausting for passengers and even more so for airline crew members.

Norse Atlantic Airways

In the US, the Federal Aviation Administration has mandated laws to ensure pilots and flight attendants get ample rest before flights.

Southwest Airlines

This includes requiring airlines to give crews a "minimum rest time," which is 10 hours for pilots and nine hours for flight attendants on domestic routes, under most circumstances.

Airline pilot walking through an airport.Taylor Rains/Insider

This includes requiring airlines to give crews a "minimum rest time," which is 10 hours for pilots and nine hours for flight attendants on domestic routes, under most circumstances.

However, the rest time can vary depending on the crew member's "scheduled flight time," which is defined as "when an aircraft moves under its own power for the purpose of flight and ends when the aircraft comes to rest after landing."

An American Airlines pilot says passengers "deserve better," than being asked to get off the plane after boarding.Robert Alexander/Getty Images

However, the rest time can vary depending on the crew member's "scheduled flight time," which is defined as "when an aircraft moves under its own power for the purpose of flight and ends when the aircraft comes to rest after landing."

The current minimum rest rule was implemented in December 2011, nearly three years after the crash of Colgan Air flight 3407 in Buffalo, New York, that killed 50 people.

Crash site of Colgan Air Flight 3407.Reuters

The current minimum rest rule was implemented in December 2011, nearly three years after the crash of Colgan Air flight 3407 in Buffalo, New York, that killed 50 people.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined pilot fatigue was a contributing factor to the accident. Both pilots commuted lengthy distances to get to their base in Newark, New Jersey, cutting into their rest time.

The Colgan crash involved a Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 turboprop aircraft operated by Continental Airlines.Reuters

The National Transportation Safety Board determined pilot fatigue was a contributing factor to the accident. Both pilots commuted lengthy distances to get to their base in Newark, New Jersey, cutting into their rest time.

In November 2021, the FAA proposed flight attendant minimum rest should be increased to 10 hours to "reduce fatigue so they can perform" their "critical [safety] role." As of August 4, the proposal has been sent to the US Office of Management and Budget for finalization.

Flight attendant at Denver International Airport.Robert Alexander/Getty Images

In November 2021, the FAA proposed flight attendant minimum rest should be increased to 10 hours to "reduce fatigue so they can perform" their "critical [safety] role." As of August 4, the proposal has been sent to the US Office of Management and Budget for finalization.

With the increase in long-haul flying post-pandemic, as well as ultra-long flights journeying up to 19 hours, crew rest is essential.

Singapore Airlines flies 19 hours nonstop from New York to Singapore.KITTIKUN YOKSAP/Shutterstock

Crews flying domestic legs will typically rest at a hotel or at home between shifts, but on longer flights, both pilots and flight attendants have designated crew rest areas where they can sleep or relax enroute.

Crew rest area on Scandinavian Airlines' Airbus A350-900 XWB.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Crews flying domestic legs will typically rest at a hotel or at home between shifts, but on longer flights, both pilots and flight attendants have designated crew rest areas where they can sleep or relax enroute.

The rest area for pilots is typically in the front of the plane near or above the cockpit. On Qatar's Boeing 787, the space has an armchair…

The staircase leads to a small room containing a chair, and two bunks.Stephen Jones / Business Insider

…two bunks with curtains, storage, light, and cupholders…

Each bunk has its own area for pilots to leave their personal itemsStephen Jones / Insider

…and a phone, which is stationed by both the chair and beds so pilots can speak to the cockpit in case of an emergency.

Each bunk has a phone to enable pilots to speak to those in the cockpit while they're resting during long haul flights.Stephen Jones / Insider

Meanwhile, flight attendant crew rest is typically separate and located towards the back of the aircraft.

Crew rest area on Scandinavian Airlines' Airbus A350-900 XWB.Thomas Pallini/Insider

On some planes, like United's Boeing 767-300ER and Air Canada's 787, a row of seats are blocked off for flight attendant rest. On United, the seats have legrests.

Flying on United's 767-300ER.Taylor Rains/Insider