I went inside a hidden room where flight attendants sleep on long-haul flights. I was amazed by its small size and comfy beds.
July 3, 20240
Business Insider’s author explored the hidden room where Air New Zealand flight attendants rest on long-haul flights on Boeing 777-300ERs.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
On Air New Zealand’s Boeing 777-300ER, flight attendants rest in a room hidden above economy class.
I explored the secret bedroom with an in-service flight manager.
As I scaled the steps up to the room, I entered a cramped space with eight beds and storage.
For travelers, long-haul flights typically involve cramped quarters and attempts at sleeping.
It’s not just the passengers who get a rest. When flight attendants and pilots work long shifts, they also take a break — in tiny rooms hidden on planes.
On the way back to the US from New Zealand in 2022, I went behind the scenes for a firsthand look at flight attendants’ break room on Air New Zealand’s Boeing 777-300ER.
On Air New Zealand’s long-haul flights, a flight attendant’s job doesn’t pause until the plane’s completed takeoff, dinner service is finished, and passengers are resting. Even then, their breaks last only a couple of hours.
The author in her business-class seat on an Air New Zealand flight.
At the very back of the plane, Sarita approached a door camouflaged by a wall. After pressing a sequence of buttons, a latch popped open, revealing a steep stairwell.
A view of the stairs the flight attendants take to get to their beds.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
As I entered the rest area, I was surprised by its small size. While the room was large enough to fit eight beds, low ceilings and narrow hallways made it feel cramped.
The author crouches in the hidden rest area for flight attendants.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
While there are eight beds, Sarita said six are occupied at a time. That’s because most long-haul routes have 12 flight attendants who take breaks in shifts once meal service is finished, she said.
The beds in the secret plane bedroom.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Sarita also told me 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, Sarita sleeps in the first bed, which is the only one with a phone.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Each sleeping nook had a heavy curtain designed to dampen the sound, block out light, and create a sense of privacy.
The beds also have seat belts.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
I also spotted a mirror and two storage compartments inside each nook …
The flight attendants can control the light and air flow from their bed.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Sarita allowed me to crawl into her nook, and it felt surprisingly cozy. It wasn’t nearly as supportive as my bed back home, but the thick mattress topper was comfy enough for a nap.
More storage for the flight attendants while they sleep.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Also in the front was a control panel for the room’s temperature and an outlet.
The beds in the secret plane bedroom.
Monica Humphries/Business 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. Sarita said that’s because the flight attendant’s main focus in the room is relaxing and resting.
An Air New Zealand flight attendant passed out warm towels to business-class travelers.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Sure enough, as I walked around the airplane before I went to sleep, I noticed fewer flight attendants in the cabin.
The author in her business-class seat on an Air New Zealand long-haul flight.
