A B767 FO IS CONCERNED WITH LACK OF REST AND FATIGUE DUE TO AN INADEQUATE CREW REST SEAT.

Narrative

THE PLT CREW REST SEAT IN THE NEWLY CONFIGURED BUSINESS CLASS CABIN OFFERS INADEQUATE CREW REST DURING PLT REST BREAKS FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: THE SEAT; WHILE DESIGNED TO RECLINE; IS NOT DESIGNED TO RECLINE TO A POS CONDUCIVE TO SLEEP. A BED-TYPE SEAT OR CREW BUNK IS EFFECTIVE. A RECLINING SEAT IS UNCOMFORTABLE AND IS NOT EFFECTIVE. THE LOCATION OF THE CREW REST SEAT AT THE REAR OF THE BUSINESS CLASS CABIN IS UNDESIRABLE. THE SEAT IS DIFFICULT TO REACH FROM THE COCKPIT DURING THE MEAL SVC. IT TOOK ME SEVERAL MINS TO REACH THE SEAT. AT LEAST ONCE DURING THE BREAK; THE EMPTY SEAT NEXT TO ME WAS TEMPORARILY UTILIZED BY A PAX TRYING TO REACH THE FORWARD LAVATORY; BUT WHO WAS UNABLE TO PROCEED; BECAUSE OF MEAL CARTS OBSTRUCTING THE AISLE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION; A PAX BUMPED INTO ME AS I LAY IN THE SEAT. THE LEVEL OF NOISE AND ACTIVITY IN THE REAR ROW OF BUSINESS CLASS IS EXCESSIVE; DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF PAX SEATED IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA -- AS WELL AS THE PAX COMING FORWARD FROM THE COACH SECTION TO USE THE FORWARD LAVATORIES; TO TALK; ETC. DESPITE MY USE OF NOISE-ATTENUATING HEADSETS; THE NOISE LEVELS WERE HIGH THROUGHOUT MY BREAK. THE OBSTACLES; DISTRS; AND DISCOMFORT AT THIS SEAT RESULTED IN CREW FATIGUE/LACK OF REST.