The secret behind the curtains that you see around business-class pods
Have you ever walked up and down the aisle during a long-haul flight and noticed that one (or more) business-class pods were enclosed with thick curtains?
It doesn't happen on every flight, but when it does, I'm always jealous of whoever's resting inside. It always looks like they've scored the ultimate business-class upgrade, in what's arguably the most private suite on the plane.
Well, turns out that these seats are reserved for someone very special, and it's not a paying passenger. In fact, it's perhaps the most important person on the plane — the pilot.
Many long-haul flights are staffed with ten or more flight attendants, as well as extra relief pilots. While cruising at 35,000 feet with most passengers sleeping, the crew can — and must — take a break. On the longest flights, the crew works in shifts — only a portion of flight attendants and pilots are needed at any one time.
This is required by the Federal Aviation Administration, the governing body that regulates all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S., as well as government agencies abroad. This way, the crew will be well-rested in order to deliver proper service or assist during an emergency.
The same is true in the cockpit. Only two pilots are required to be on duty at a single time. The others rest up until it's their turn to be at the controls.
And where exactly does the crew go during the longest flights?
Well, it depends on the plane. On select ones, like Delta's retrofitted Boeing 767-300 and JetBlue's new Airbus A321LR, the relief pilots will be resting in a lie-flat pod, with thick curtains drawn around them for additional privacy from paying passengers.
There's even an industry term for this seat, the "crew rest." In fact, the FAA has a classification system for crew rest facilities.
- Class 1: a physically separated space from the cockpit and passenger cabin
- Class 2: lie-flat seat and separation from the cabin with a thick curtain to provide darkness and some sound mitigation
- Class 3: any cabin seat with at least 40 degrees of recline and leg and foot support
As you see, the biz pod with curtains is considered a Class 2 rest facility according to the FAA. It's not as private as a dedicated crew bunk, but on smaller planes like the Boeing 767 or Airbus A321 that don't fly ultra-long-haul flights, a Class 2 space will suffice.
In fact, on United's Boeing 767s, you can snag a seat in a Class 3 crew rest when it's not being used for international flying. There are four extra-reclining extra-legroom seats located in row 43 and 44 that are available for selection when they're not being used by the crew.
If you end up on one of those seats, you'll enjoy the leg rest, footrest and 40 degrees of recline.
As for Class 1 crew rests, they exist on the largest planes that fly the longest routes, like the Boeing 777. They're located in separate compartments from the passenger cabin. In most cases, you'll find them hidden up a set of stairs either at the forward or rear of the aircraft.
Inside, you'll find a handful of lie-flat bunks, with individual thermostats and other interesting items, including smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, flashlights and portable oxygen containers for use in an emergency. There are also comfort items, such as power outlets, a small mirror, coat hooks and a phone to call the other flight attendant stations.
So, the next time you see the curtains drawn in the biz cabin, now you'll know who's inside. Just don't open them to disturb a pilot who's resting.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees