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

• 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

Read more: After years in coach, I took my first long-haul flight in business class. Here are 10 surprising things about the most glamorous plane ride of my life.

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

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