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  4. I went inside the secret room where flight attendants sleep on Qatar's Boeing 777 and was shocked at how big it was

I went inside the secret room where flight attendants sleep on Qatar's Boeing 777 and was shocked at how big it was

I went inside the secret room where flight attendants sleep on Qatar's Boeing 777 and was shocked at how big it was
LifeThelife1 min read
Taylor Rains/Insider
  • Qatar Airways operates several long-haul flights between Doha and the US, with some journeying a whopping 16 hours.
  • One of the planes used is a Boeing 777-200LR equipped with luxurious QSuites and a comfortable economy cabin.

Post-pandemic travel is booming and people are more eager than ever to get out of the house and explore the world once again.

Post-pandemic travel is booming and people are more eager than ever to get out of the house and explore the world once again.
Airline pilot walking through an airport.      Taylor Rains/Insider

With surging demand, airlines have brought back dozens of long-haul routes, with some flying further than ever before.

With surging demand, airlines have brought back dozens of long-haul routes, with some flying further than ever before.
Singapore Airlines flies the world's longest route between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Singapore, journeying nearly 19 hours.      KITTIKUN YOKSAP/Shutterstock

Air New Zealand, for example, added a new nonstop route from New York to Auckland in September, becoming the world's new fourth-longest flight at nearly 18 hours.

Air New Zealand, for example, added a new nonstop route from New York to Auckland in September, becoming the world
I flew on Air New Zealand's inaugural flight from New York to Auckland in business class.      Taylor Rains/Insid

Meanwhile, United Airlines is launching a new 13-and-a-half-hour flight from New Jersey to Dubai in March…

Meanwhile, United Airlines is launching a new 13-and-a-half-hour flight from New Jersey to Dubai in March…
United Boeing 777 plane.      Ryken Martin/Shutterstock

…while Delta Air Lines has added a 15-hour flight from Atlanta to Cape Town coming in December.

…while Delta Air Lines has added a 15-hour flight from Atlanta to Cape Town coming in December.
Delta 767-300.      Angel DiBilio/Shutterstock

These ultra-long-haul journeys can be treacherous for passengers, but how do flight attendants sleep or kill time onboard?

These ultra-long-haul journeys can be treacherous for passengers, but how do flight attendants sleep or kill time onboard?
An Air New Zealand business class flight attendant.      Taylor Rains/Insider

It's no secret that flight attendant rest is crucial to the safety of aircraft and passengers as they need to remain alert in the case of emergency situations.

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

In fact, the Federal Aviation Administration recently just upped the required rest period for flight attendants in the US from nine hours to 10 in an effort to minimize fatigue.

In fact, the Federal Aviation Administration recently just upped the required rest period for flight attendants in the US from nine hours to 10 in an effort to minimize fatigue.
An Air Canada flight attendant.      Taylor Rains/Insider

Because of the importance of crew rest, many widebody aircraft have a secret room reserved for crew members so they can sleep between shifts.

Because of the importance of crew rest, many widebody aircraft have a secret room reserved for crew members so they can sleep between shifts.
A350 flight attendant rest area.      Taylor Rains/Insider

Unbeknownst to many travelers, the space — known as the crew rest area — is hidden in the back of the plane above the economy cabin.

Unbeknownst to many travelers, the space — known as the crew rest area — is hidden in the back of the plane above the economy cabin.
Touring the flight attendant rest area on ITA's A350.      Taylor Rains/Insider

The room is only accessible to flight attendants and is where they can relax, sleep, or just escape the cabin during their breaks.

The room is only accessible to flight attendants and is where they can relax, sleep, or just escape the cabin during their breaks.
Touring SAS Scandinavian Airlines' Airbus A350-900 XWB.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

The pilots also have their own room at the front of the cabin, which typically has bunks and loungers with TVs.

The pilots also have their own room at the front of the cabin, which typically has bunks and loungers with TVs.
The pilot sleeping area on a Boeing 787-9.      Stephen Jones/ Insider

Having toured multiple crew rest areas, they come in all shapes and sizes, with some being smaller than others.

Having toured multiple crew rest areas, they come in all shapes and sizes, with some being smaller than others.
Touring the flight attendant rest area on ITA's A350.      Taylor Rains/Insider

Moreover, some aircraft instead have reserved rows of seats in economy or business that flight attendants can use to sleep, like on United's Boeing 767 and JetBlue's Airbus A321neoLR.

Moreover, some aircraft instead have reserved rows of seats in economy or business that flight attendants can use to sleep, like on United
The crew rest seats on one of United's Boeing 767 aircraft.      Taylor Rains/Insider

However, I recently came across the largest crew rest area I'd ever seen on Qatar's Boeing 777-200LR, which journeys upwards of 16 hours between Doha and the US — take a look inside.

However, I recently came across the largest crew rest area I
Taylor Rains/Insider

Like many widebody planes, the crew rest area is located in the back by the aft galley, so we had to trek past the luxurious QSuites and economy sections to get to the room.

Like many widebody planes, the crew rest area is located in the back by the aft galley, so we had to trek past the luxurious QSuites and economy sections to get to the room.
Taylor Rains/Insider

To enter, a staff member had to enter a code to unlock the door, and then we had to climb a set of stairs.

To enter, a staff member had to enter a code to unlock the door, and then we had to climb a set of stairs.
Taylor Rains/Insider

While the stairwell was cramped and narrow, the inside of the room was actually quite large.

While the stairwell was cramped and narrow, the inside of the room was actually quite large.
Taylor Rains/Insider

There was an open space in the front with places to charge electronic devices and hang out.

There was an open space in the front with places to charge electronic devices and hang out.
Taylor Rains/Insider

Beyond that was a line of 10 single beds — five on each side of the fuselage.

Beyond that was a line of 10 single beds — five on each side of the fuselage.
Taylor Rains/Insider

Each bunk came with a privacy curtain…

Each bunk came with a privacy curtain…
Taylor Rains/Insider

…storage underneath…

…storage underneath…
Taylor Rains/Insider

…plush bed linens…

…plush bed linens…
Taylor Rains/Insider

…and a reading light.

…and a reading light.
Taylor Rains/Insider

The beds were long and easily comfortable enough to sleep on long flights...

The beds were long and easily comfortable enough to sleep on long flights...
Taylor Rains/Insider

...and had a seatbelt for safety.

...and had a seatbelt for safety.
Taylor Rains/Insider

Also inside the hidden cabin is a phone to communicate with working crew members and a flashlight...

Also inside the hidden cabin is a phone to communicate with working crew members and a flashlight...
Taylor Rains/Insider

...as well as an AC unit, closets, and mirrors.

...as well as an AC unit, closets, and mirrors.
Taylor Rains/Insider

I was thoroughly impressed with the size of the room, which gives flight attendants plenty of space to spread out and get some alone time during their much-needed breaks.

I was thoroughly impressed with the size of the room, which gives flight attendants plenty of space to spread out and get some alone time during their much-needed breaks.
Taylor Rains/Insider
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