I flew on 2 long-haul flights, one in business and another in economy. The perks were drastically different — take a look.

Monica HumphriesAug 12, 2023, 16:57 IST

Insider's author sat in both economy and business class for long-haul flights.Monica Humphries/Insider

Last summer, I flew business class on an Air New Zealand flight from Los Angeles to Auckland.
This year, I had a 12-hour flight from Denver to Tokyo, where I sat in United's economy cabin.

Traveling to faraway destinations is a dream. Getting there is not.

But after taking two long-haul flights — one in business class and the other in economy — I learned that amenities can make or break a trip.

From receiving a complimentary toiletry bag on an Air New Zealand business-class flight to free earbuds on a United economy flight, take a look at all the differences in amenities.

Last summer, I flew business class for the first time between Los Angeles, California, and Auckland, New Zealand. I quickly learned the perks of a business-class ticket started long before I boarded the plane.

The business-class cabin on Air New Zealand's Boeing 787 Dreamliner.Monica Humphries/Insider

Last summer, I flew business class for the first time between Los Angeles, California, and Auckland, New Zealand. I quickly learned the perks of a business-class ticket started long before I boarded the plane.

As a business-class traveler, I had premium check-in, which was a separate, shorter check-in line.

The check-in desk for Air New Zealand.Paul Kane/Getty Images

For checking into my United economy flight from Denver, Colorado, to Tokyo, Japan, I needed to wait in a line serving many more guests.

The check-in desk for United.Monica Humphries/Insider

After checking in and going through security for my flight to New Zealand, I headed to an airport lounge, which I had access to thanks to my business-class ticket. Here, I dined on a buffet and sipped endless drinks.

The author's setup in the airport lounge.Monica Humphries/Insider

After checking in and going through security for my flight to New Zealand, I headed to an airport lounge, which I had access to thanks to my business-class ticket. Here, I dined on a buffet and sipped endless drinks.

My economy ticket didn't grant me access to a lounge, so I headed to my boarding gate instead.

Insider's author sat on the floor at her gate waiting to board her economy flight.Monica Humphries/Insider

When it came to the actual flight, the perks continued. In business class, I was one of the first passengers to board the plane.

Insider's author entered a nearly empty jet bridge when she boarded the Air New Zealand flight.Monica Humphries/Insider

The opposite was true with economy. For my United flight, I was one of the last passengers to board the plane.

Insider's author at the back of the boarding line for her economy flight.Monica Humphries/Insider

When I arrived at my business-class seat, a handful of amenities were already waiting for me.

The author's business-class seat.Monica Humphries/Insider

There was a footrest, which also served as additional seating if I wanted to chat with another passenger.

The footrest at the author's business-class seat.Monica Humphries/Insider

There was also a plastic water bottle.

Air New Zealand business-class passengers are given a water bottle.Monica Humphries/Insider

A complimentary toiletry bag full of goodies like lotion, mouthwash, and socks was waiting for me at my business-class seat.

Each passenger received a bag of toiletries on the business-class flight.Monica Humphries/Insider

And a pair of over-the-ear headphones were also at my disposal in business class.

Over-the-ear headphones Insider's author received in business class.Monica Humphries/Insider

In economy, I didn't get toiletries or a water bottle, but flight attendants did come through the cabin with free earbuds.

Earbuds passengers received while seated in United's economy cabin.Monica Humphries/Insider

Both seats had entertainment screens, but they, too, were different. In business class, my screen measured 11 inches and could be moved based on how I was seated.

The entertainment screen in business class.Monica Humphries/Insider

Meanwhile, my economy screen seemed a bit smaller and didn't move.

The author's legs bumped against the seat in front of her.Monica Humphries/Insider

It was a similar case with the tray tables. In business class, I fit both food and my laptop on the large tray table.

Food on a business-class tray table.Monica Humphries/Insider

My economy tray table was barely large enough for my meal.

The tray table in economy.Monica Humphries/Insider

Both airlines offered bedding, but it was far more luxurious in business class.

A flight attendant converts a seat into a bed in business class on Air New Zealand.Monica Humphries/Insider

For example, on Air New Zealand, I had two pillows, a duvet, and a memory-foam mattress topper for my lie-flat seat.

After dinner, flight attendants stopped at each seat to convert it into a bed.Monica Humphries/Insider

In economy on United, passengers received a blanket and travel pillow — both of which I thought weren't nearly as cozy as the business-class offerings.

The blanket and pillow economy passengers received on a long-haul United flight.Monica Humphries/Insider

The meal service in business class also had perks my economy seat did not. Each passenger was given a steamed towel to wipe their hands and face.

The author received a steamed towel while seated in business class.Monica Humphries/Insider

And liquor was complimentary.

Insider's author got a gin and tonic on her business-class flight.Monica Humphries/Insider

In economy, my complimentary alcoholic beverages included wine and beer.

The veggie meal and glass of wine on a United economy flight.Monica Humphries/Insider

Both seats offered snacks, but in business class, I could order an unlimited amount.

The author's breakfast in business class.Monica Humphries/Insider

I thought the amenities in business class far exceeded the offerings in economy. But either way, items like earbuds and toiletries made the long-haul flights much more bearable.

The author in business class.Monica Humphries/Insider

I thought the amenities in business class far exceeded the offerings in economy. But either way, items like earbuds and toiletries made the long-haul flights much more bearable.

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I flew on 2 long-haul flights, one in business and another in economy. The perks were drastically different &mdash; take a look.

Last summer, I flew business class for the first time between Los Angeles, California, and Auckland, New Zealand. I quickly learned the perks of a business-class ticket started long before I boarded the plane.

As a business-class traveler, I had premium check-in, which was a separate, shorter check-in line.

For checking into my United economy flight from Denver, Colorado, to Tokyo, Japan, I needed to wait in a line serving many more guests.

After checking in and going through security for my flight to New Zealand, I headed to an airport lounge, which I had access to thanks to my business-class ticket. Here, I dined on a buffet and sipped endless drinks.

My economy ticket didn't grant me access to a lounge, so I headed to my boarding gate instead.

When it came to the actual flight, the perks continued. In business class, I was one of the first passengers to board the plane.

The opposite was true with economy. For my United flight, I was one of the last passengers to board the plane.

When I arrived at my business-class seat, a handful of amenities were already waiting for me.

There was a footrest, which also served as additional seating if I wanted to chat with another passenger.

There was also a plastic water bottle.

A complimentary toiletry bag full of goodies like lotion, mouthwash, and socks was waiting for me at my business-class seat.

And a pair of over-the-ear headphones were also at my disposal in business class.

In economy, I didn't get toiletries or a water bottle, but flight attendants did come through the cabin with free earbuds.

Both seats had entertainment screens, but they, too, were different. In business class, my screen measured 11 inches and could be moved based on how I was seated.

Meanwhile, my economy screen seemed a bit smaller and didn't move.

It was a similar case with the tray tables. In business class, I fit both food and my laptop on the large tray table.

My economy tray table was barely large enough for my meal.

Both airlines offered bedding, but it was far more luxurious in business class.

For example, on Air New Zealand, I had two pillows, a duvet, and a memory-foam mattress topper for my lie-flat seat.

In economy on United, passengers received a blanket and travel pillow — both of which I thought weren't nearly as cozy as the business-class offerings.

The meal service in business class also had perks my economy seat did not. Each passenger was given a steamed towel to wipe their hands and face.

And liquor was complimentary.

In economy, my complimentary alcoholic beverages included wine and beer.

Both seats offered snacks, but in business class, I could order an unlimited amount.

I thought the amenities in business class far exceeded the offerings in economy. But either way, items like earbuds and toiletries made the long-haul flights much more bearable.

I flew on 2 long-haul flights, one in business and another in economy. The perks were drastically different — take a look.