What’s in the secret sleeping area of flight attendants on airplanes?
Most Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft have a secret staircase leading to a small windowless sleeping area for the crew, including hidden sleeping compartments for pilots.
A flight attendant said,
“On long flights, there might be a flight attendant sleeping below or above you.” She explained that on such flights, the crew is divided into halves, with one half working while the other rests.
Many flight attendants learn to sleep on command, but most of them “don’t even sleep, just sit on social media and play with their phones.”
Depending on the type of aircraft, the crew rest area is usually hidden behind the cockpit, above the first-class cabin. The secret staircase leading to the sleeping area is hidden behind a discreet door. They are located near the cockpit and require a code or key to open.
Upstairs are cramped sleeping compartments, windowless, with 8 beds (or 7 beds, depending on the airline). This is the crew rest area on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Flight attendants definitely enjoy the crew rest area on Boeing 777s, which can accommodate 6 to 10 bunk beds, with enough space for personal belongings for each member. Inside this hidden cabin, there is also a phone for communication with working crew members and a flashlight.
On Boeing 777 aircraft, pilots have their own private sleeping area above, with two spacious beds, two business class seats, and even a wardrobe, sink, or toilet, depending on the airline.
Each sleeping corner has thick curtains designed to reduce noise, block light, and create a sense of privacy. Each bed has a safety harness in case of turbulence, with a blanket and pillow secured underneath.
Bunk beds usually have reading lights, hooks, mirrors, and some personal storage space. Typically, crew members bring their own blankets and pillows, even sleepwear. Some premium rooms have an entertainment system.
Some planes, like Air Canada’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner, have flat, spacious beds. While most secret sleeping compartments may feel cramped, the luxurious cabin on Singapore’s Airbus A380 looks quite comfortable.
