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.An Air New Zealand flight attendant prepares for passengers to board the plane.
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As someone who has survived several long-haul flights, I was curious about where those breaks occur. So, on a 12-hour flight from New Zealand to Los Angeles, I boarded early to tour the crew area, which is off-limits to passengers.The author in her business-class seat on an Air New Zealand flight.
Sarita, the in-service manager for my flight, met me at the entrance of the plane. Together, we navigated to the crew rest area.Sarita walks through the cabin on Air New Zealand's Boeing 777-300ER.
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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.
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.Sarita unlocks the door to the secret plane bedrooms for flight attendants.
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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.
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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.A view of the entire room for flight attendants.
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At 5'8'', I was too tall to stand comfortably. Instead, I crouched and crawled around the dimly lit roomThe author crouches in the hidden rest area for flight attendants.
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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.Behind the entrance are eight beds for the flight attendants.
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When it's their turn to rest, a flight attendant will unlock the door, climb up the stairs, and pick one of the eight nooks for their two-and-a-half-hour break.The beds in the secret plane bedroom.
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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.A sign indicates that flight attendants shouldn't use the room during taxi, landing, and takeoff.
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As the flight manager, Sarita said her bed had a telephone so she could communicate with the pilots and crew.As the flight manager, Sarita sleeps in the first bed, which is the only one with a phone.
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Each sleeping nook had a heavy curtain designed to dampen the sound, block out light, and create a sense of privacy.Each bedroom has its own privacy curtain.
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Each bed had a seat belt for potential turbulence, with blankets and pillows strapped underneath.The beds also have seat belts.
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I also spotted a mirror and two storage compartments inside each nook …Each bed area has small storage compartments and a mirror.
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… 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.
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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.The author in the secret bedroom area for flight attendants.
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Once out of her 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.
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Also in the front was a control panel for the room's temperature and an outlet.The temperature control panel.
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At the very back of the cabin, I noticed a closet. Sarita told me it's for uniform storage.The beds in the secret plane bedroom.
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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.In each bed area, there were only pillows, blankets, and some small storage compartments.
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Sarita said she usually falls asleep during her break. Other flight attendants on board 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.
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Sure enough, as I walked around the airplane before I went to sleep, I noticed fewer flight attendants in the cabin.The economy-class cabin after dinner service was finished.
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After watching them prepare the cabin, serve dinner, and complete countless behind-the-scenes tasks, I was glad to know these hardworking flight attendants had a comfortable place to take a well-earned break.The author in her business-class seat on an Air New Zealand long-haul flight.
