SAS Scandinavian Airlines Airbus A350-900XWB Tour. Thomas Pallini/Insider
The flight attendants on long-haul flights don't have the luxury seats as their passengers.
Hidden compartments at the back of planes contain bunks that can be used by flight attendants as a place to rest.
The cabin crew rest areas have no windows or entertainment and are located in tight quarters.
As airliners fly further and more, airlines are continually raising the standards for comfort and luxury for passengers.
An Airbus A350-900 XWB aircraft. Andreas Zeitler/Shutterstock.com
However, while passengers enjoy luxury business class and economy seats on certain airlines, flight attendants don't get the same benefits.
SAS Scandinavian Airlines Airbus A350-900XWB Tour. Thomas Pallini/Insider
The small compartments where flight attendants spend their time are hidden behind wide-body aircraft. These are the crew rest areas, which are appropriately named and where flight attendants go to take a break from their duties or other responsibilities.
Crew rest area on an Airbus A350 900 XWB aircraft. Thomas Pallini/Insider
These areas are off limits to passengers. Even their entryways are discreetly embedded in the aircraft's architecture to protect against unwanted visitors.
Crew rest area on an Airbus A350 900 XWB aircraft. Thomas Pallini/Insider
I was on a recent Airbus A350-900 XWB tour and went up to the crew rest area in order to observe how cabin crews spend their time. Here's how it looked.
Crew rest area on an Airbus A350 900 XWB aircraft. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Cabin crew rest areas are usually located at the back of the economy cabin. It was easy to see how a passenger could walk past the small ladder or doorway marked "crew only".
SAS Scandinavian Airlines Airbus A350-900XWB Tour. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Because it is hidden from passengers, in an area that is not often used by passengers, its location makes sense. I have never seen a flight attendant climb into the bunks in all my years of travel.
Crew rest area on an Airbus A350 900 XWB aircraft. Thomas Pallini/Insider
It took me just a few steps to realize that I was actually on an airplane. There were no windows or passenger seats in the space. It was just bunks.
Crew rest area on an Airbus A350 900 XWB aircraft. Thomas Pallini/Insider
The crew rest area consisted of six bunks and was very small.
Crew rest area on an Airbus A350 900 XWB aircraft. Thomas Pallini/Insider
The storage space is very limited.
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Crew rest area on an Airbus A350 900 XWB aircraft. Thomas Pallini/Insider
There was also space for items to be stored in pockets along the main aisle.
Crew rest area on an Airbus A350 900 XWB aircraft. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Every bunk was equipped with a blanket and pillow kit, all wrapped in a seatbelt. It was similar to the one economy passengers get in the cabin below.
Crew rest area on an Airbus A350 900 XWB aircraft. Thomas Pallini/Insider
In case of turbulence, seatbelts must be worn in the bunks. Even flight attendants must follow the seatbelt sign.
Crew rest area on an Airbus A350 900 XWB aircraft. Thomas Pallini/Insider
The bunks had no entertainment other than a reading lamp, blanket, or pillow. In the crew rest area, the in-flight entertainment screens that graced cabins below were absent.
Crew rest area on an Airbus A350 900 XWB aircraft. Thomas Pallini/Insider
This is because airlines want their employees to use the space for rest. It would be distracting to watch TV or movies.
Crew rest area on an Airbus A350 900 XWB aircraft. Thomas Pallini/Insider
It doesn't prevent flight attendants using their phones. However, a curtain allows for privacy in each bunk.
Crew rest area on an Airbus A350 900 XWB aircraft. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Although I was unable to get down on one of the bunks, it was difficult to imagine how cramped these quarters would feel. It is, however, a better option than, for example, the last row of economy class.
Crew rest area on an Airbus A350 900 XWB aircraft. Thomas Pallini/Insider
The commute is easy and requires only a few steps back to the galley. An intercom system in the rest area allows flight attendants to communicate with other crew members.
Crew rest area on an Airbus A350 900 XWB aircraft. Thomas Pallini/Insider
The compartment looked a lot like the living room of a futuristic spaceship. Moving around in this space would have been easier if there was zero gravity.
Crew rest area on an Airbus A350 900 XWB aircraft. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Pilots can also have their own areas to rest near the cockpit. It's not much more difficult for them than for flight attendants.
A Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft's pilot rest area. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
These rest areas are required by law to make long-haul flights possible. Flights between Singapore and the USA can take up to 18 hours. This is why flight attendants must work shifts in order to serve the cabin.
Crew rest area on an Airbus A350 900 XWB aircraft. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Although it is not as luxurious as a business class lie-flat seat, the setting offers privacy and a short respite from work.
Crew rest area on an Airbus A350 900 XWB aircraft. Thomas Pallini/Insider
However, those who are afraid of tight spaces should consider the rest area when considering a career as long-haul flight attendant.
A flight attendant international. By Dmitry Birin/Shutterstock
Business Insider has the original article.
