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.

• On a long-haul Air New Zealand flight, I toured the secret rooms where pilots and flight attendants rest.
• The Boeing 777-300ER has 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 whether pilots and flight attendants rest during the ride. Where they would rest never crossed my mind.

Then, I learned that airline workers have required breaks on long-haul flights, and the aircraft are designed with hidden rooms for these much-needed rest periods.

In 2021, I saw the rooms firsthand when I boarded Air New Zealand's Boeing 777-300ER.

I explored two rooms — one where pilots rest and another for flight attendants. Perhaps the difference shouldn't have surprised me. Co-pilots, who make a median salary of $120,700, had more amenities. Meanwhile, flight attendants, who make closer to $85,500, had a much more basic room. 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.

 

 

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

Their breaks, which are legally mandated and typically about two hours, happen in shifts, an Air New Zealand rep told BI. That means there are always pilots in the cockpit and flight attendants in the cabin.

As I explored the two rooms, which are typically off-limits to passengers, I spotted some drastic differences — from size to amenities.

The first clear difference I spotted was the location of each area. Both rest areas are located above passengers' seats, but they're on opposite sides of the plane.

I walked to the front of the plane to access the pilots' rest area. Here, a hidden door near the cockpit led to a room above business class.

Next, I walked the length of the plane to get to the flight attendants' rest cabin near the tail. A hidden staircase led to a room stationed above economy class.

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.

Both rooms also required a passcode.

Once the doors were unlocked, the entrances were also similar. A set of steep, small steps led up to each room.

Both sets of stairs were coated in a non-slip tread.

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.

The rest area for pilots is designed for two people.

While eight flight attendants can fit in their designated rest area on the Boeing 777-300ERs.

The pilots also have multiple options for resting. At the front of the room, there were two large leather recliners. Behind them were two beds.

The flight attendants only had bunk-style beds in their room.

The pilots also had an entertainment option. Stationed near each recliner was a TV similar to the ones travelers had in business class.

I didn't see any TVs in the space for flight attendants. Instead, the entrance to their room had a mirror and some storage.

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

Everyone was also able to control the light in their rest area.

And both pilots and flight attendants had temperature controls for the rooms.

In the bedroom nooks, I noticed that pilots had more amenities. For instance, there were multiple cupholders and overhead storage near their beds.

The flight attendants had two smaller storage compartments and a mirror.

There were also phones stationed in both rooms so pilots and flight attendants could communicate with each other and their colleagues.

Each room also had a closet for uniforms. This way, the flight attendants' and pilots' clothing wouldn't get wrinkly while they slept.

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.

But ultimately, I was happier with the fewer responsibilities and the luxe amenities I had in my business-class seat below.