SECRET ‘capsule hotels’ on planes left passengers stunned – you would never know they existed.
Many holidaymakers are aware of restricted areas on board, such as the cockpit, but these hidden “secure” spaces left people shocked.
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Like in any job, staff manning flights require a break – but where they go might surprise you.
Crew are usually entitled to 10 per cent of the flight to rest – which would work out at about one-and-a-half hours per long-haul trip.
It has really good curtains, you can adjust the temperature really well, there’s great ventilation, and it’s more soundproof
Aleksi Kuosmanen
They settle down in bunkers that have to measure at least 198cm by 76cm and have one cubic meter around them.
On each aircraft the rest areas look different, and it also depends on how old the plane is.
United Airlines flight attendant, Susannah Carr, told CNN Travel: “They can be quite comfortable.
“They have a padded mattress, an air vent to keep the air circulating and temperature controls so you can keep it cooler or warmer, and we’re provided with linens, usually similar to the ones used in business class on our international flights.”
But, she did admit they “might be a little tight” for those on the taller side.
And, the stewardess revealed waking up from a nap mid-flight “can be a really harsh experience sometimes”.
When asked how they hold up compared to the comfort of First Class seats, Susannah said while the bunks are wider, there’s not the same headspace or privacy.
She added how they could feel cramped to anyone who struggles with claustrophobia.
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“It’s an airplane, so you only have so much space to put things. They certainly make use of every inch up there,” the flight attendant added.
Most passengers would walk right past the rest areas and mistake it for a “closet”, according to the stewardess.
But, she wouldn’t reveal how crew access the ‘capsule hotels’ – only that they are “secure”.
“It’s a little bit like Disney – we keep the magic behind closed doors,” she added.
The clever ‘plus-one’ trick
A GENIUS ‘plus-one’ travel hack that allows passengers to fit ALL their clothes into hand luggage has been revealed.
The ‘world’s most seasoned’ flyer Tom Stucker, who has racked up a whopping 23 million miles, shared his top space-saving trick.
He follows a simple ‘plus-one’ rule, which means only packing the absolute essentials, and a back-up.
The travel guru also suggested taking items which are easy to clean.
It’s crucial not to accommodate for ‘what if’ scenarios, and brutally cut out all the extras, according to Tom.
Yolanda Edwards, founder of the travel magazine Yolo Journal added: “You’re going to be the one who, when you get home, you’re like, ‘I didn’t wear eight of those things, but I swore I needed them’.
“Try and remember all of those packing mistakes and try not to repeat them.”
This includes scaling back on toiletries and only bringing the bare minimum.
It can also be space-saving to use smaller travel sized containers rather than the original bottles.
And, many essentials can be bought while you’re away at local shops, or even the airport.
The layout usually consists of a ladder leading upstairs as soon as you walk in.
This leads to the beds, which you crawl into, and Susannah joked she’s dubbed them “the catacombs”.
In older planes, this space might be located in the hold, which would mean the stair case leads crew down.
Meanwhile others don’t have a secret area at all, only a recliner seat with a curtain around it.
Susannah said “it’s not necessarily the best rest” if there are rowdy holidaymakers.
“We’ve had passengers open the curtains, looking for something or thinking they’d be going into the galley,” she added.
PILOT REST AREAS
Pilots meanwhile are privileged to more perks.
Their bunks are separate from cabin crew, and found above or close to the cockpit.
They also boast televisions with in-flight entertainment.
Aleksi Kuosmanen, deputy fleet chief pilot at Finnair, praised his rest ares on the A350 aircraft and said: “It has really good curtains, you can adjust the temperature really well, there’s great ventilation, and it’s more soundproof.
“You don’t hear anything of what’s happening in the galleys, it’s really quiet and comfortable.”
It comes as other flight attendants have shared their best advice for travellers.
Some have even revealed the weirdest antics passengers get up to on board.
Other private jet stewardesses confessed their most bizarre client requests – and the industry’s best kept secrets.
One cabin crew member told holidaymakers the five holy grail tips for avoiding jet lag.
Meanwhile another exposed the “evil” thing passengers do on planes that could ruin your luggage.
Plus, a private jet staff member confessed the craziest and worst requests from the most demanding clients she’s served on board.#
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