See the secret airplane bedrooms where flight attendants sleep on long-haul flights

Malaysia Airlines Retiring Their Cursed 777s

The 11 Ugliest Aircraft Ever Built

See the secret airplane bedrooms where flight attendants sleep on long-haul flights

Flight attendants are humans too, and just like everyone else, they need to sleep on long-haul flights.

The crew rest area on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. — The crew rest area on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

But where do they do it?

Most Boeing 777 and 787 airliners have a secret stairway that leads to a tiny set of windowless bedrooms for the cabin crew — and few people know they even exist.

See what the secret cabins look like.

It depends on the plane, but usually crew rest areas are hidden behind the cockpit, above first class, like on this Boeing 777.

It depends on the plane, but usually crew rest areas are hidden behind the cockpit, above first class, like on this Boeing 777. — Boeing

Secret stairs lead up to the bedrooms where the cabin crew sleeps.

Secret stairs lead up to the bedrooms where the cabin crew sleeps.

Chris McGinnis / TravelSkills.com

The steps are hidden behind an inconspicuous door that’s usually near the cockpit. Usually, a code or key is needed to open it.

The steps are hidden behind an inconspicuous door that's usually near the cockpit. Usually, a code or key is needed to open it.

Courtesy of David Parker Brown, AirlineReporter.com

But some cabins are entered through a secret hatch that looks like a typical overhead bin. This is on American Airline’s Boeing 773.

But some cabins are entered through a secret hatch that looks like a typical overhead bin. This is on American Airline's Boeing 773.

Chris Sloan, Airchive.com

A sign divulges what’s behind these doors (eight crew member bunks), though you’ve probably never read it that closely.

A sign divulges what's behind these doors (eight crew member bunks), though you've probably never read it that closely.

Chris McGinnis / TravelSkills.com

Upstairs are cramped, windowless bedrooms with eight beds (or seven, depending on the airline). This is the cabin’s rest area on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Upstairs are cramped, windowless bedrooms with eight beds (or seven, depending on the airline). This is the cabin's rest area on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

www.gettyimages.com

The crew certainly seems to enjoy the overhead rest areas on Boeing 777s, which, depending on the airline, can fit six to 10 bunks, as well as personal storage space for each crew member.

The crew certainly seems to enjoy the overhead rest areas on Boeing 777s, which, depending on the airline, can fit six to 10 bunks, as well as personal storage space for each crew member.

Boeing

On the Boeing 777, pilots have their own overhead sleeping compartments, which feature two roomy sleeping berths, as well as two business-class seats, and enough room for a closet, sink, or lavatory, depending on the airline.

On the Boeing 777, pilots have their own overhead sleeping compartments, which feature two roomy sleeping berths, as well as two business-class seats, and enough room for a closet, sink, or lavatory, depending on the airline.

READ ALSO What are some facts about being a cabin crew member that no one tells you?

Boeing

The beds, which are generally around six feet long and two and a half feet wide, are partitioned by heavy curtains meant to muffle noise.

The beds, which are generally around six feet long and two and a half feet wide, are partitioned by heavy curtains meant to muffle noise.

Martin Deutsch / Flickr, CC

But asides from stifling sounds, curtains seem to be there for more than just privacy. The strict “one per bunk” warning advises against any funny business.

But asides from stifling sounds, curtains seem to be there for more than just privacy. The strict "one per bunk" warning advises against any funny business.

Chris McGinnis / TravelSkills.com

Bunks generally have reading lights, hooks, and mirrors, as well as some personal storage space. Usually they come with blankets and pillows, occasionally even pajamas.

Bunks generally have reading lights, hooks, and mirrors, as well as some personal storage space. Usually they come with blankets and pillows, occasionally even pajamas.

Flickr/Sudarshan P

Though some — and this varies by airline — are a little more high end, and feature entertainment systems. Some airplanes, like this Air Canada’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner, have flat, open sleeping areas.

Though some — and this varies by airline — are a little more high end, and feature entertainment systems. Some airplanes, like this Air Canada's Boeing 787 Dreamliner, have flat, open sleeping areas.

Reuters/Aaron Harris

Others have bunk beds that are stacked on top of each other, like this Malaysian Air A380 plane.

Others have bunk beds that are stacked on top of each other, like this Malaysian Air A380 plane.

Courtesy of David Parker Brown, AirlineReporter.com

While most beds seem claustrophobic, this cabin on Singapore’s Airbus A380 looks comfortable.

While most beds seem claustrophobic, this cabin on Singapore's Airbus A380 looks comfortable.

Courtesy of David Parker Brown, AirlineReporter.com

Other planes, like this American Airlines Boeing 773, have partitioned-off beds along an aisle. The aisle is so low that you have to duck to walk through it.

Other planes, like this American Airlines Boeing 773, have partitioned-off beds along an aisle. The aisle is so low that you have to duck to walk through it.

Courtesy of David Parker Brown/AirlineReporter.com

There’s no room to stand up.

There's no room to stand up.

Courtesy of Boeing

To get back out to the main cabin, an emergency exit under one of the beds leads straight into the cabin, through an overhead bin that’s locked from the outside.

To get back out to the main cabin, an emergency exit under one of the beds leads straight into the cabin, through an overhead bin that's locked from the outside.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply