THE lights are dimmed, meals have been gobbled up and you’re stating to get very sleepy. As your eyelids get heavier and heavier you notice that one by one, the flight attendants are vanishing, seemingly into thin air.

So have you ever wondered just where they go during those long, draining red-eye flights?

It turns out that while you’re shifting around in your cramped economy class seat in a desperate bid to get more comfortable, they’re headed straight for the dedicated crew rest areas. Wait, wait? Where on Earth are these places?

The rest spots are often hidden away in a secret compartment at the top of the plane, or a compartment in the same main section as the rest of the passengers.

The very mention of these areas is usually met with stone cold silence from airlines, who want to keep their existence top-secret. And we can see why!

Some look so awesome that they rival even the first class experience, with pyjamas, blankets and entertainment units on offer for lucky employees.

It's the one place you can’t pay to get into, and looks like the ultimate way to live the “high” life. Check it out.

Boeing 777's have such a cool crew rest area! pic.twitter.com/VcUqZADhp7 — Richard Surtees (@outlawhearts) August 30, 2013

The crew rest compartment on Emirates' Boeing 777s flying on long-haul routes. pic.twitter.com/EeTzOm65HA — Opa (@draaiomjeoren1) August 24, 2014

The 8 bunk crew rest area for the Etihad 777 crewmembers above the rear passenger cabin. pic.twitter.com/RZ55ivfIEr — Planesonearth (@Planesonearth) April 10, 2014

A4 I’d love to be able to stretch out in the crew rest area on @SingaporeAir Boeing 777 like this one! #TravelSkills pic.twitter.com/JCfcigmboq — Chris McGinnis (@cjmcginnis) December 6, 2013

Overhead Crew Rest area KLM B777-206/ER. 6 bunks (earphone&laptop outlet, reading light, crew pyjamas, blankets ect.) pic.twitter.com/V9JaKPd40X — Planesonearth (@Planesonearth) November 2, 2013

These ones look slightly less appealing!

Ever wondered what the crew rest of a 787-9 looks like? pic.twitter.com/fOyUlzyHIQ — Airline Reporter (@AirlineReporter) July 9, 2014

Flight crew rest area of the A380, just behind the flight deck. Very comfortable and quiet in flight. #A380 pic.twitter.com/NuAmjH4HZF — Captain Dave (@DaveWallsworth) October 12, 2013

Other angle of crew rest area on 787. Bunkie. pic.twitter.com/8nqEsooHoa — Howard Green (@howardgreennews) May 20, 2014

Crew rest area at back of 787 Dreamliner. pic.twitter.com/RudLIPTXRC — Howard Green (@howardgreennews) May 20, 2014

The Cabin Crew Rest Area with the bunk- beds on the #Boeing B747. Situated at the rear -up,we access by a staircase. pic.twitter.com/iJZybWjMEA — mariabonita (@flybyday63) April 29, 2014

These are the locations of the crew rest areas:

View from the rear of Super Jumbo. At the right, the middle block is crew rest area. pic.twitter.com/4zG4kRJndM — Planesonearth (@Planesonearth) November 1, 2013

Sleep tight on your next flight!