Crew rest compartment

{{Short description|Area of an airplane where workers can rest in private}}

File:Domodedovo IMG 2617 (8062182692).jpg

A crew rest compartment is a section of an airliner dedicated for breaks and sleeping by crew members during off-duty periods.{{cite web|last1=Schneider|first1=Kate|title=Inside the part of the plane you can't see|url=http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-ideas/best-of-travel/the-part-of-the-plane-passengers-cant-see-flight-attendant-rest-areas/news-story/ebf742c30c809eef4a07a5004ccd2c6e|website=news.com.au|access-date=26 July 2016}}{{cite web|last1=www.catchmeifyoucannie.com|first1=Annie Kingston|title=The Reality Of Being A Flight Attendant|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/annie-kingston/5-things-youve-never-flight-attendant_b_9035050.html|website=The Huffington Post|access-date=26 July 2016|date=21 January 2016}} Federal Aviation Regulations have provisions requiring crew rest areas be provided in order to operate a long-haul flight by using multiple crew shifts.{{cite web|last1=George|first1=Fred|title=Preventing Crew Fatigue from A to Zzz|url=http://aviationweek.com/business-aviation/preventing-crew-fatigue-zzz|website=aviationweek.com|publisher=Business & Commercial Aviation|access-date=26 July 2016}}

Passengers are restricted from accessing crew rest compartments by regulations; their entrances may be secured by locks and may require using a ladder for access.{{cite web|last1=Brown|first1=David|title=Inside Look: Crew Rest Areas on Different Airliners – AirlineReporter|url=http://www.airlinereporter.com/2014/10/inside-look-crew-rest-areas-different-airliners/|publisher=Airline Reporter|access-date=26 July 2016|date=13 October 2014}} Crew rest compartments are normally segregated, with separate compartments for the flight deck crew and the cabin crew.{{cite web|title=Federal Register {{!}} Special Conditions: Airbus, Model A350-900 Series Airplane; Crew Rest Compartments|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/01/14/2014-00446/special-conditions-airbus-model-a350-900-series-airplane-crew-rest-compartments|website=www.federalregister.gov|date=14 January 2014 }}

Many crew rest compartments may not normally be used during taxi, takeoff, or landing maneuvers unless equipped with a standard seat.{{cite web|title=Federal Register {{!}} Special Conditions: Airbus, A350-900 Series Airplane; Crew Rest Compartments|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/03/30/2012-7732/special-conditions-airbus-a350-900-series-airplane-crew-rest-compartments|website=www.federalregister.gov|date=30 March 2012 }}{{cite web|title=Special Condition D-04|url=http://www.easa.europa.eu/system/files/dfu/certification-docs-special-condition-Special-Condition-D-04.pdf}}File:Gulfstream G550, EBACE 2018, Le Grand-Saconnex (BL7C0712).jpg]]In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) defines three classes of crew rest facilities, dependent on the number of crew and the duration of the flight.{{cite web|title=Advisory Circular AC 117-1|url=http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_117-1.pdf|publisher=Federal Aviation Administration|access-date=26 July 2016}} Crew rest periods may be provided in higher classed rest areas than required.

The FAA rest facility classifications from highest to lowest:

• Class 1 rest facility: This class requires access to an area physically separated from the cockpit and the passenger cabin; contain bunks or other flat areas for sleeping; have provisions for sound and lighting isolation.
• Class 2 rest facility: This class requires access to at least a lie flat seat and separation from passengers by a curtain.
• Class 3 rest facility: This class only requires a cabin seat that is able to recline and has foot support.

Crew rest design and safety considerations are similar between international regulators, for example the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations for access control, communications, and signage are similar to those of the FAA's.{{cite web |title=Special Condition D-04 – Crew Rest Compartment |url=https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/dfu/certification-docs-special-condition-Special-Condition-D-04.pdf |publisher=EASA |access-date=23 July 2020}} By following such regulatory Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreements (which avoid contradictory minimum specifications), aircraft manufacturers can design crew rests to meet the requirements in many markets.