V-Flyer

What is the crew rest area like on 747's and A340's? Ive always wondered!

GJ basically spelled it out. Search over at airliners.net for more pictures.

On smaller planes (767, 757, 737, A319/320) airlines mainly use an allocation of seats the most forward cabin. These seats normally have a device to limit light in that area.

United uses a First Suite on their 777s where other airlines have the rest area slightly above and behind the flight deck on the 777. I like this as th flight crew is in a confined area without the need to risk of opening the flight deck door. On United (777s) and Air New Zealand (747s and maybe others) they have seats in the Y cabin for rest.

Rest areas normally are in areas that could be used for cargo. If airlines can't sell the space for cargo or have weight restrictions on their routes then the cabin comes the rest area. It is a business.

Fascinating. How is it decided how much rest time is allocated on a flight and when the crew can take it?

There's a pic of a VS A346 crew rest area here

Regards

In that last pic that James linked to, it looks like there is a sliding grill or floor above the stairs with a roller blind or shutter just below this to the left? Any VS staffer like to comment; if it is not breaching security or company policy, naturally?

I remember in my early days of flying LHR-LAX with AA (before VS started up) that the grey haired witches stewardesses curtaining off some of the seating, usually in exit rows, for their rest area.

This was in economy and was so long ago I can't remember aircraft type other than it was not a B747, may have been a DC10 or MD something or other?

They were always very surly and possessive of this space, repelling any pax who dained to enquire if they may swop to an apparently empty exit row!

On the BA 777 they still curtain off an area around door 1R for cabin crew rest,doesn't look that comfy.

On Sabena a few years ago on a (leased) MD-11, the crew rest consisted of a couple of rows in Y that were curtained off from us pax.

45.

Originally posted by me

Originally posted by Bazz
In that last pic that James linked to, it looks like there is a sliding grill or floor above the stairs with a roller blind or shutter just below this to the left? Any VS staffer like to comment; if it is not breaching security or company policy, naturally?

I've been looking at the picture and to me it's the top step of the stairs leading down into the CRA.

To answer the original question as to what the crew rest areas are like: small, noisy (especially if a screaming child is near the door or if passengers keep thinking its a toilet door and trying to open it), they can be either freezing or like a sauna but when you are tired and on a long overnight flight, they are heaven!

Thanks me. Having looked at the pic more closely I can see you are correct. I was wondering if this was the crew rest mentioned by VSGirl on A.Net?

For example, Virgin Atlantics Airbus A340Õs, our aircraft have a special container that secured in place like a normal aircraft baggage/cargo container. The rest container can be accessed through a small hatch in the cabin floor towards the middle of the aircraft (normally near a galley, you pass through a door then down a small ladder). When passing into the rest area (container) there is no indication that it is not a permanent fixture.

The A346 has two options. That taken by VS which is removable & a fixed crew rest (CX have this) that basically takes up the space normally used as the bulk cargo bay. Many operators (not VS) have the crew rest fully equipped with IFE etc. The B747 & B777 use space in the crown area as crew rest.

Originally posted by me

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes

Finally, this thread has much more info and addresses VS set-up specifically.

I am so happy I bought Google stock! [y]

GJ

I've just read the threads regarding VS and couldn't stop laughing! In 6 years of flying, I've never seen anyone chat and sit around on crew rest! None of our crew rest areas have seats - they have between 7 and 8 bunks - so the lights go off and everyone tries to sleep or read a book but never talk. Its the same on both day and night flights - you're always tired enough to have a quick nap.

How much rest time are you allowed to take though? Do you take it in turns, as I assume there's always someone on duty? And the pilots?????

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes
I've heard that for at least an hour of every flight over 10 hours, there is a full hour when every single pilot and crew member are sleeping and the plane flies itself. Is this true?

GJ

Flicked through my mind too - scary....

GJ - stop stirring please.

How can all the crew on a B744 or A346 (which has at least 12 cabin crew and often more than that) fit into the 6-8 bunks in the crew rest area all at the same time [:?]

Regards

For those members of a nervous disposition, GJ was making a joke!

Originally posted by mitchja
GJ - stop stirring please.

How can all the crew on a B744 or A346 (which has at least 12 cabin crew and often more than that) fit into the 6-8 bunks in the crew rest area all at the same time [:?]

Regards

Answers on a postcard to the usual address please[:w]

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes
Stirring? I was shaking!

Only injecting a little levity...my error, obviously.

But to answer the new question: maybe they are sharing bunks? An airline of lovers cannot be defeated.

GJ

Been there, seen the movie, got the t-shirt, read the book....trust me, fitting two people into a bunk on a 744 is not easy.

we normally just block off row 28 in economy for our crew rest.Very uncomfortable bearing in mind its on A321 and A320s!

maybe they are sharing bunks?

Ahem, Virgin Atlantic;)

45.

GJ,

Hee hee, spoons works everytime, better than top to toe.

Love,

Liz & Julie x