Qantas reveals the hidden parts of the plane that you never see including crew quarters, cargo hold and the cockpit

First Officer Rob Noonan took the cameras around the cockpit and sleeping areas, which are normally only open to crew.

It's not just the spots you see on board either – the First Officer also did a show around of the cargo area, where animals and food are sometimes stored.

He explained to news.com.au: "We control the temperature of this area from the flight deck to look after any livestock or any perishables that we carry.

"Usually that will be cats and dogs but on occasion, zoo animals such as monkeys and lions."

He also showed off the cockpit area of the new Dreamliner plane, which operates routes such as the one from Perth to London.


In the cockpit, he explained: "We have three autopilots on the 787."

Some people may not realise that autopilot can be used for all parts of the flight, not just while cruising.

Rob explained: "We can autoland the aircraft in poor weather conditions, however all the pilots will prefer to hand fly the aircraft."

He said pilots prefer to land it themselves as it is a "beautiful plane to fly".


During long-haul flights, pilots and flight attendants are also required to sleep during the flight – especially when it's the 17-hour journey from Australia to London.

There are a number of secret rooms where they sleep that are above the rest of the cabin, which separate ones for crew and pilots.

Rob said: "It's important to get adequate rest in the cruise so we have a little secret crew rest area, which is hidden in the ceiling above the flight deck.

"Pilots have a one bedroom apartment up the front [and] down the back there's two bedrooms for the cabin crew."



A flight of stairs leads crew up to a number of rooms with mattresses, pillows and blankets as well as a curtain for privacy.

There are also buttons to control the temperature and lighting between the bunks in case one crew member wants to sleep and one wants to read.

They must also fasten the lap belt when they are sleeping, in case of any turbulence.

A sign in the rooms, which reads Crew Only, explains the rules of using the bunks.



It says: "Crew rest occupancy is restricted to crew members who the pilot in command has determined are trained in the emergency procedures and able to rapidly use the evacuation routes.

"Crew members must be trained in accordance with FAA/EASA approved evacuation, decompression and firefighting procedures.

"Do not occupy crew rest area bunks during taxi, takeoff and landing."

The bunks can hold one person, with the rooms able to hold up to six people.

A pilot previously revealed what really goes on in the cockpit, from using autopilot to reading newspapers, not books.

Novels are banned as they can distract pilots for long periods of time, unlike news articles in a paper or magazine.

Other secrets features of the plane include a secret arm rest button and an emergency toilet hatch.

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