For years, Business Insider's Monica Humphries boarded long-haul flights without thinking twice about whether pilots and flight attendants rest during the ride. Where they would rest never crossed her mind.

Then, she 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, Humphries saw the rooms firsthand when she boarded Air New Zealand's Boeing 777-300ER. She explored two rooms — one where pilots rest and another for flight attendants.

[Behind the entrance are eight beds for the flight attendants. 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.

[The area has two leather seats and two beds. Monica Humphries/Business Insider]

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.

[Side-by-side images of the rest area for pilots and flight attendants on an Air New Zealand Boeing 777-300ER. Monica Humphries/Business Insider]

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

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

[Side-by-side images of the doors to the hidden bedrooms. Monica Humphries/Business Insider]

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.

[Wide-angle images of both the pilot and flight attendant rest areas. Monica Humphries/Business Insider]

But this was where many of the similarities stopped. Once Humphries entered the rooms, she 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.

[A chair pilots use to rest in. Monica Humphries/Business Insider]

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 author in the secret bedroom area for flight attendants. Monica Humphries/Business Insider]

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

To see more of the secret rooms where pilots and flight attendants sleep, head to Business Insider.

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