Built and engineered using advanced composites so they’re strong, lightweight but also soundproof, the modules were designed to be swapped with a 767′s existing cargo container for flights that exceed 11 hours in the air. They can be loaded into the plane’s cargo hold in less than 30 minutes, thanks to a design that matches existing containers and the use of quick connects for the electrical, safety and environmental system hookups.
However, since most passenger planes don’t have an easy way to access the cargo hold from the cabin, they have to be retrofit with a special ladder equipped vestibule making it easier for crew to climb down there. Each unit comfortably sleeps six crew members, including the pilots, though something tells me it won’t be long until airlines realise these could be more profitable as private suites for those with deep travel pockets. [TIMCO via Core77]
Renny
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 4:08 PMAir France must have been using these for years. The last time I flew with them 2 tears ago, the whole cabin crew dissappeared for 9 hours.
Timmahh
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 4:20 PMCall me stupid.. OK I’ll call me stupid, but I thought that the luggage compartment was not pressurised, and I can’t see a pressure door in the pic? Clearly they must be, but wouldn’t it get cold down there too?
Glenn
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 4:30 PMWhile some planes do have unpressurised holds they aren’t very many these days, most commercial jets have at least some pressurised cargo areas. (Think of all the Pets that travel…)
Heating/Cooling may be another issue, but that can be solved in the capsule easily.
Sean
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 4:45 PMIn passenger jets, pretty much the entire fuselage is a pressure vessel. This is why cargo doors are a potential vulnerability and doors blowing out have damaged or brought down several aircraft in the past. As soon as they cut a hole in the floor to allow people to get down to the hold (and up to the toilets) they are going to have to provide at least some climate control down there, if they don’t already.
stevjosco
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 5:50 PM“comfortably sleeps six crew members” = Mile High Club Orgy!!!
Matt
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 5:54 PMeveryone was thinking it
kami
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 6:07 PMWhy do you think it’s sound proof? ;)
Mogwai888000
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 6:56 PMwhile flying Emirates from London to Melborne a couple of weeks ago i was surprised to see that the crew were dissapearing on a rostered basis to sleep in a separate bunk compartment accessed via a small spiral staircase leading up from the rear galley. Slept 7 according to the door. It was also interesting to see the hosties appearing from this doorway (in their PJs) to duck into the galley quickly for a drink or something to eat.
I had no idea the flight staff actually had bunks and slept on the flights. No wonder there is usually a period of at least three hours of not being able to find staff to trouble for a glass of water.
So why is this new ?
Pete
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 8:33 PMI’d rather fly in this container than sitting in cattle class any day
Richo
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 8:51 PMToo bad these have been around since the ’60s. They used them on the 747 for long haul flights.
Edmond
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 10:43 PMThese have been around for years. Do a search on airliners.net for crew quarters.
Sardo
Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 11:29 AMWhat is new about this is that the crew rest ‘pod’ can be used as required, so to use an Australian example…
Aircraft is scheduled to do MEL-SYD, SYD-MEL, MEL-BBN, BBN-Hong Kong, Hong Kong-BBN, BBN-MEL. For the Hong Kong sectors the pod can be fitted during the turn around in Brisbane, allowing the crew an adequate rest on the longer flight.
Great idea, but the reality is that most short-haul aircraft are used for … short flights! Sure you have Qantas and Virgin flying A330s and 767s domestically, and in the past Qantas even used the 747 from Sydney and possibly Melbourne to Perth flights, but these are usually kept quite separate from the long haul fleet.
Whether flight crew or cabin crew, they deserve to be as rested as is practical so they are really on top of their game when the situation isn’t so ‘optimal’. I just don’t see many airlines shelling out for this though.