I went inside the secret airplane rooms where flight attendants and pilots sleep. I'd much rather be a pilot.

While eight flight attendants fit in the hidden rest area on Air New Zealand's Boeing 777s, pilots have amenities like TVs, recliners, and cupholders.

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Mar 27, 2025 - 07:31
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I went inside the secret airplane rooms where flight attendants and pilots sleep. I'd much rather be a pilot.
Business Insider's author spotted the differences between the rest areas for pilots and flight attendants on an Air New Zealand Boeing 777-300ER.
Business Insider's reporter spotted the differences between the rest areas for pilots and flight attendants on an Air New Zealand Boeing 777-300ER.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

  • I toured the secret rooms where pilots and flight attendants rest on long-haul Air New Zealand flights.
  • The Boeing 777-300ER had a room with two beds for pilots and an eight-bed area for flight attendants.
  • Both rest areas were tight, but I noticed that pilots had more amenities than flight attendants. 

For years, I boarded long-haul flights without thinking twice about where pilots and flight attendants rest.

That's not the case for aircraft designers, who build secret areas on planes where these airline workers can take their mandated breaks.

I finally had the chance to see these hidden rooms when I boarded a long-haul flight on Air New Zealand's Boeing 777-300ER in 2021.

I explored two rooms — one where pilots rest and another for flight attendants — and noticed that the pilots had more amenities than the flight attendants. Take a look. 

Before takeoff on an Air New Zealand flight from New Zealand to Los Angeles, I toured the hidden rest areas for pilots and flight attendants.
Sarita Rami walks through the cabin on Air New Zealand's Boeing 777-300ER.
An Air New Zealand flight attendant walks through the cabin on Air New Zealand's Boeing 777-300ER.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

 

These crew areas are designed for one purpose: rest. Both flight attendants and pilots receive breaks during long-haul flights to refuel and recharge.
Behind the entrance are eight beds for the flight attendants.
Behind the entrance are eight beds for the flight attendants.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

An Air New Zealand rep told Business Insider that the breaks, which are legally mandated and typically about two hours long, happen in shifts. That means there are always pilots in the cockpit and flight attendants in the cabin.
The area has two leather seats and two beds.
The area has two leather seats and two beds.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

As I explored the two rooms, which are typically off-limits to passengers, I spotted some drastic differences — from size to amenities.
Side-by-side images of the author in the rest areas for pilots and flight attendants on an Air New Zealand Boeing 777-300ER.
Side-by-side images of the reporter in the rest areas for pilots and flight attendants on an Air New Zealand Boeing 777-300ER.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

The first clear difference I spotted was the location of each area. Both rest areas are above passengers' seats but on opposite sides of the plane.
Arrows point to the approximate location of the rest areas on the Boeing 777-300ER.
Arrows point to the approximate location of the rest areas on the Boeing 777-300ER.

Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto/Getty Images

The doors to each area were identical and designed to blend into the galleys. This helps protect from unwanted visitors, an Air New Zealand flight attendant explained.
The door to the pilot's rest area, left, and the flight attendants' rest area, left.
The door to the rest area for pilots, left, and the flight attendants' rest area, right.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Both rooms also required a passcode.
Sarita Rami unlocks the door to the secret plane bedrooms for flight attendants.
A flight attendant unlocks the door to the secret plane bedrooms for flight attendants.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Once the doors were unlocked, the entrances were also similar. A set of steep, small steps led up to each room.
Side-by-side images of the staircases in each rest area.
Side-by-side images of the staircases in each rest area, with the pilot area on the left and the one for flight attendants on the right.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Both sets of stairs were coated in a non-slip tread.
A view of the stairs the flight attendants take to get to their beds.
A view of the stairs the flight attendants take to get to their beds.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

But this was where many of the similarities stopped. Once I entered the rooms, I noticed the pilots had more space than the flight attendants.
Wide-angle images of both the pilot and flight attendant rest areas.
Wide-angle images of both the pilot and flight attendant rest areas.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

The rest area for pilots is designed for two people.
The area has two leather seats and two beds.
The area has two leather seats and two beds.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Eight flight attendants can fit in their designated rest area on the Boeing 777-300ERs.
A view of the two rows of beds.
A view of the two rows of beds.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

The pilots also had multiple resting options. At the front of the room were two large leather recliners, and behind them were two beds.
A chair pilots can use to rest in.
A chair pilots use to rest in.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

The flight attendants only had bunk-style beds in their room.
The author in the secret bedroom area for flight attendants.
The reporter in the secret bedroom area for flight attendants.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

The pilots also had an entertainment option. A TV similar to the ones travelers had in business class was stationed near each recliner.
Each pilot has a TV in their secret rest area.
Each pilot has a TV in their secret rest area.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I didn't see any TVs in the space for flight attendants. Instead, the entrance to their room had a mirror and some storage.
The entrance of the flight attendant's rest area has a mirror and some storage.
The entrance of the flight attendants' rest area has a mirror and some storage.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Both flight attendants and pilots had privacy curtains and bedding for their beds.
Both the pilots and flight attendants had privacy curtains near their beds.
Both the pilots and flight attendants had privacy curtains near their beds.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Everyone was also able to control the light in their rest area …
Both bed nooks had individual lights.
Both bed nooks had individual lights.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

… as well as the temperature.
Both hidden rest areas allow the pilots and flight attendants to control the temperature in the room.
Both hidden rest areas allow the pilots and flight attendants to control the temperature in the room.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

In the bedroom areas, I noticed that pilots had more amenities. For instance, there were multiple cupholders and overhead storage near their beds.
The pilots have lighting.
Pilots had cupholders and storage in their bed areas.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

The flight attendants had two smaller storage compartments and a mirror.
Each bed area has small storage compartments and a mirror.
Each bed area in the flight attendants' space had small storage compartments and a mirror.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Phones were stationed in both rooms so pilots and flight attendants could communicate with each other and their colleagues.
Both rooms had phones for emergencies.
Both rooms had phones for emergencies.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Each room also had a closet for uniforms. This way, the flight attendants' and pilots' clothing wouldn't get wrinkly while they slept.
The flight attendants and pilots both had access to storage spaces for their uniforms.
The flight attendants and pilots both had access to storage spaces for their uniforms.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Overall, it seemed to me that the pilots had more amenities. If I had to pick a place to rest, I'd much rather be a pilot with their comfy lounge chairs and TVs.
A view of the pilot's rest area.
A view of the rest area for pilots.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Ultimately, I was happier with the fewer responsibilities and the luxe amenities I had in my business-class seat below.
The author in her business-class seat.
The reporter in her business-class seat.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

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