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  4. I flew on 2 long-haul flights: one in business and another in economy. The two cabins couldn't be more different — take a look.

I flew on 2 long-haul flights: one in business and another in economy. The two cabins couldn't be more different take a look.

I flew on 2 long-haul flights: one in business and another in economy. The two cabins couldn't be more different — take a look.
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 LA to Auckland.
  • This month, I had a 12-hour flight from Denver to Tokyo, where I sat in United's economy cabin.

A year ago, I thought flying — no matter the cabin — was a similar experience. Everyone was boarding the same plane, suffering in the same low-humidity cabin, and eating bland airplane food.

A year ago, I thought flying — no matter the cabin — was a similar experience. Everyone was boarding the same plane, suffering in the same low-humidity cabin, and eating bland airplane food.
Insider's author on an economy flight.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Then I took my first business-class flight from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand, last June. Nearly nine months later, I hopped on a long-haul economy flight from Denver, Colorado, to Tokyo.

Then I took my first business-class flight from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand, last June. Nearly nine months later, I hopped on a long-haul economy flight from Denver, Colorado, to Tokyo.
The author in her business-class seat on an Air New Zealand long-haul flight.      Monica Humphries/Insider

My entire perspective of airplane cabins changed after those 12-hour flights. Take a look at how the two cabin classes compare.

My entire perspective of airplane cabins changed after those 12-hour flights. Take a look at how the two cabin classes compare.
Side-by-side images of a Air New Zealand's business-class cabin and United's economy cabin.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Unsurprisingly, the biggest difference I spotted was price. A one-way, business-class flight to Auckland at the time of writing costs about $4,500, according to the airline's website.

Unsurprisingly, the biggest difference I spotted was price. A one-way, business-class flight to Auckland at the time of writing costs about $4,500, according to the airline
A screenshot of a one-way, business-class ticket on Air New Zealand.      Air New Zealand

Insider received a press rate for the round-trip flight to Auckland.

Source: Air New Zealand

Meanwhile, my round-trip ticket to Tokyo was less than $2,500. This means I could've flown to and from Tokyo twice for the same price of my one-way, business-class ticket.

Meanwhile, my round-trip ticket to Tokyo was less than $2,500. This means I could
A screenshot of a United economy flight to Tokyo.      United

And when it came to the actual experience, the perks of business class started long before I boarded the plane.

And when it came to the actual experience, the perks of business class started long before I boarded the plane.
The author at the Star Alliance Lounge at the Los Angeles International Airport.      Monica Humphries/Insider

My business-class Air New Zealand ticket granted me access to Los Angeles International Airport's Star Alliance Lounge.

My business-class Air New Zealand ticket granted me access to Los Angeles International Airport
The entrance to the Star Alliance Lounge at the Los Angeles International Airport.      Monica Humphries/Insider

There, I dined on a bowl of ramen, scarfed down plates of salad, and sipped on Champagne. The food and the alcohol were all included with access to the lounge, so I didn't spend a dollar on my meal.

There, I dined on a bowl of ramen, scarfed down plates of salad, and sipped on Champagne. The food and the alcohol were all included with access to the lounge, so I didn
A bowl of ramen from an airport lounge.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I also didn't have to hunt for seating. Instead, I spent my layover hopping between the lounge's couches and the outdoor patio.

I also didn
Seating at the airport lounge in the Los Angeles International Airport.      Monica Humphries/Insider

With economy flight, I didn't have lounge access. Instead, I spent hours in the airport terminal. I paid nearly $8 for a coffee, skipped expensive airport food, and opted for snacks from home.

With economy flight, I didn
Insider's author packed her own snacks for her economy flight.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I searched the airport terminal for comfy seating — something the lounge had plenty of — but ultimately settled on sitting on the floor so I could stretch out before the flight.

I searched the airport terminal for comfy seating — something the lounge had plenty of — but ultimately settled on sitting on the floor so I could stretch out before the flight.
Insider's author sat on the floor at her gate waiting to board her economy flight.      Monica Humphries/Insider

When it came to boarding in business class, representatives in the lounge announced when boarding started for my flight.

When it came to boarding in business class, representatives in the lounge announced when boarding started for my flight.
A representative at the entrance to the Star Alliance Lounge at the Los Angeles International Airport.      Monica Humphries/Insider

For economy, muffled announcements were made over the airport's intercom system. I wasn't able to hear them, so I kept a close eye on my watch to make sure I didn't miss my boarding call.

For economy, muffled announcements were made over the airport
Insider's author's gate for her United flight to Tokyo.      Monica Humphries/Insider

My business-class ticket also meant I was the first one to board the plane.

My business-class ticket also meant I was the first one to board the plane.
Insider's author entered a nearly empty jet bridge when she boarded the Air New Zealand flight.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I stepped onto a nearly empty plane and had a short walk to my seat. And after getting settled, a flight attendant offered me a glass of Champagne.

I stepped onto a nearly empty plane and had a short walk to my seat. And after getting settled, a flight attendant offered me a glass of Champagne.
A glass of sparkling wine at the author's business-class seat.      Monica Humphries/Insider

In economy, I was one of the very last passengers to board.

In economy, I was one of the very last passengers to board.
Insider's author at the back of the boarding line for her economy flight.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Once on the plane, I was handed an alcohol wipe instead of Champagne and walked the entire length of the aircraft to row 50.

Once on the plane, I was handed an alcohol wipe instead of Champagne and walked the entire length of the aircraft to row 50.
Economy class on a long-haul United flight to Tokyo.      Monica Humphries/Insider

When it came to the physical seats, I spotted major differences.

When it came to the physical seats, I spotted major differences.
Economy seats on a United flight to Tokyo.      Monica Humphries/Insider

As far as planes go, my business-class seat was massive. Beyond two armrests, I had a large TV screen, an even larger tray table, and a footrest with enough space to stretch out both my legs comfortably.

As far as planes go, my business-class seat was massive. Beyond two armrests, I had a large TV screen, an even larger tray table, and a footrest with enough space to stretch out both my legs comfortably.
Insider's author could stretch out her legs in business class.      Monica Humprhies/Insider

My economy seat in comparison was small. My tray table had hardly enough room for my laptop and my legs couldn't comfortably stretch.

My economy seat in comparison was small. My tray table had hardly enough room for my laptop and my legs couldn
The author's legs bumped against the seat in front of her.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I also didn't have the same luxury of reclining. In business class, I could recline without impeding on anyone's space since the seats were positioned away from other passengers.

I also didn
In business class, Insider's author could recline far back.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Reclining in economy meant I was taking up someone else's personal space.

Reclining in economy meant I was taking up someone else
The economy cabin on a United flight from Denver to Tokyo.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Both seats also came with amenities.

Both seats also came with amenities.
Air New Zealand business-class passengers are given a pair of over-the-ear, corded headphones.      Monica Humphries/Insider

In business class, I had over-the-ear headphones, a bag of toiletries, a water bottle, a blanket, and a pillow.

In business class, I had over-the-ear headphones, a bag of toiletries, a water bottle, a blanket, and a pillow.
Each passenger received a bag of toiletries on the flight.      Monica Humphries/Insider

In economy, I discovered a blanket and pillow as well as headphones at my seat.

In economy, I discovered a blanket and pillow as well as headphones at my seat.
The blanket and pillow economy passengers received on a long-haul United flight.      Monica Humphries/Insider

But the biggest perk was that my business-class seat could turn into a lie-flat bed. After dinner service, flight attendants stopped by with extra blankets and pillows and converted my seat into a bed.

But the biggest perk was that my business-class seat could turn into a lie-flat bed. After dinner service, flight attendants stopped by with extra blankets and pillows and converted my seat into a bed.
After dinner, flight attendants stopped at each seat to convert it into a bed.      Monica Humphries/Insider

The food and beverages were drastically different between the two classes.

The food and beverages were drastically different between the two classes.
Side-by-side images of the breakfast on an economy and business class flight.      Monica Humphries/Insider

In business class, I could order endless liquor, wine, beer, and soda.

In business class, I could order endless liquor, wine, beer, and soda.
Insider's author's gin and tonic on a business class flight.      Monica Humphries/Insider

In economy, I had to pay for liquor. I did receive a glass of complimentary wine, though.

In economy, I had to pay for liquor. I did receive a glass of complimentary wine, though.
The author's red wine in a plastic cup on an economy flight.      Monica Humphries/Insider

My dinner in business class felt like fine dining. I had cloth napkins, metal cutlery, and ceramic plates. A flight attendant stopped by and offered me three choices of warm bread along with a little tray of salt, pepper, and olive oil.

My dinner in business class felt like fine dining. I had cloth napkins, metal cutlery, and ceramic plates. A flight attendant stopped by and offered me three choices of warm bread along with a little tray of salt, pepper, and olive oil.
The author's first-course meal on her Air New Zealand flight.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I also had a menu of dinner choices ranging from Alaskan cod to roasted chicken.

I also had a menu of dinner choices ranging from Alaskan cod to roasted chicken.
The menu on the author's Air New Zealand business-class flight.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Meanwhile, there wasn't a menu in economy. Instead, flight attendants gave brief descriptions of the dinner options. On my flight to Tokyo, for example, I chose between a "chicken" and "veggie" meal.

Meanwhile, there wasn
The veggie option on a United economy flight.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I chose veggie and wondered if I'd be eating eggplant parmesan, a grain bowl, or pasta for dinner. And when I lifted the metal foil, I discovered a vegetable stir fry.

I chose veggie and wondered if I
The uncovered veggie meal on a United economy flight.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I also learned that you're not guaranteed your meal choice in economy. Since I was seated in back on the plane, flight attendants had run out of one of the meals by the time they reached my seat.

I also learned that you
Breakfast on the United economy flight.      Monica Humphries/Insider

As for the bathrooms, they felt similar in size and design. Air New Zealand's business class restroom had a decorative wallpaper.

As for the bathrooms, they felt similar in size and design. Air New Zealand
The bathroom on the Air New Zealand flight.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Which United's bathroom lacked. But besides that, I noticed similar toilets and sinks.

Which United
The author in the bathroom on the economy flight.      Monica Humphries/Insider

And when the plane touched down in Auckland, I was one of the first passengers off simply because I was sitting in business.

And when the plane touched down in Auckland, I was one of the first passengers off simply because I was sitting in business.
Passengers on a business class flight get their bags from the overhead bins.      Monica Humphries/Insider

But when I landed in Tokyo, I had to wait an extra 15 minutes before disembarking from the plane — as the last to board, I was also the last to disembark.

But when I landed in Tokyo, I had to wait an extra 15 minutes before disembarking from the plane — as the last to board, I was also the last to disembark.
Insider's author had to wait for other passengers to get off the plane.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Ultimately, the perks in business class changed the way I view luxury travel. But I also learned that those luxuries come at a price — a price I don't plan on paying anytime soon.

Ultimately, the perks in business class changed the way I view luxury travel. But I also learned that those luxuries come at a price — a price I don
Insider's author sat in both economy and business class for long-haul flights.      Monica Humphries/Insider

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