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I Flew On 2 Long-haul Flights: One In Business And Another In Economy. The 2 Cabins Couldn't Be More Different — Take A Look.
Business Insider's author sat in both economy and business class for long-haul flights.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
- I flew business class on an Air New Zealand flight from Los Angeles to Auckland.
- Nine months later, I was on a 12-hour flight from Denver to Tokyo in United's economy cabin.
- The two flights couldn't have been more different. Take a look.
Within one year, I embarked on two of the longest flights of my life.
In the summer of 2022, I hopped on an Air New Zealand flight to Auckland, New Zealand.
In the spring of 2023, I was off to Tokyo. This time on United Airlines.
While both flights hovered around 12 hours, there was one major difference. For Air New Zealand, I was seated in business class. For United, I was in the back of the plane in economy.
The experiences couldn't have been more different. As flight prices continue to skyrocket, deciding whether to spend your money on a cabin class upgrade or in your destination can be tough. Take a look at how the two cabins compare.
A few years 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.![]()
Business Insider's author on an economy flight.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Then in June 2022, I took my first business-class flight from Los Angeles to Auckland. Nearly nine months later, I hopped on a long-haul economy flight from Denver to Tokyo.![]()
The author in her business-class seat on an Air New Zealand long-haul flight.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
After those 12-hour flights, my entire perspective of airplane cabins — and the value of an upgrade — changed.![]()
Side-by-side images of Air New Zealand's business-class cabin and United's economy cabin.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Unsurprisingly, the biggest difference I spotted was the price. At the time of booking, a one-way business-class flight to Auckland on Air New Zealand was about $4,500, according to the airline's website. Today, that cost is closer to $6,000.![]()
A screenshot of a one-way business-class ticket on Air New Zealand.
Air New Zealand
Business Insider received a media rate for the round-trip flight to Auckland.
Meanwhile, my round-trip ticket to Tokyo was less than $2,500 through United Airlines. Today, it'd be about $2,700. This means I could've flown to and from Tokyo twice for the same price as my one-way business-class ticket.![]()
A screenshot of a United economy flight to Tokyo.
United
But 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 Los Angeles International Airport.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
My business-class Air New Zealand ticket granted me access to Los Angeles International Airport's Star Alliance Lounge.![]()
The entrance to the Star Alliance Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
There, I dined on a bowl of ramen, scarfed down plates of salad, and sipped on Champagne. The food and alcohol were included with access to the lounge, so I didn't spend a dollar on my meal.![]()
A bowl of ramen from an airport lounge.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
I also didn't have to hunt for seating at my gate. Instead, I spent my layover hopping between the lounge's couches and the outdoor patio.![]()
Seating at the airport lounge at Los Angeles International Airport.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
With the 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 I packed from home.![]()
Business Insider's author packed her own snacks for her economy flight.
Monica Humphries/Business 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.![]()
Business Insider's author sat on the floor at her gate while waiting to board her economy flight.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
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 Los Angeles International Airport.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
For economy, muffled announcements were made over the airport's intercom system. I couldn't hear them, so I kept a close eye on my watch to ensure I didn't miss my boarding call.![]()
The author's gate for her United flight to Tokyo.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
My business-class ticket meant I was the first one to board the plane.![]()
Business Insider's author entered a nearly empty jet bridge when she boarded the Air New Zealand flight.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
I stepped onto a nearly empty plane and had a short walk to my seat. After I got settled, a flight attendant offered me a glass of Champagne.![]()
A glass of sparkling wine at the author's business-class seat.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
In economy, I was one of the very last passengers to board.![]()
Business Insider's author at the back of the boarding line for her economy flight.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Once on the plane, I was handed an alcohol wipe instead of bubbly and walked the entire length of the aircraft to row 50.![]()
Economy class on a long-haul United flight to Tokyo.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
When it came to the physical seats, I spotted major differences.![]()
Economy seats on a United flight to Tokyo.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
As far as plane spaces go, my business-class seat was massive. Beyond two armrests, I had a large TV screen, a large tray table, and a footrest with enough space to stretch my legs comfortably.![]()
Business Insider's author could stretch out her legs in business class.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
My economy seat, by comparison, was small. My tray table had hardly enough room for my laptop, and my legs couldn't comfortably stretch.![]()
The author's legs bumped against the seat in front of her.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
I also didn't have the same luxury of reclining. In business class, I could recline without impeding anyone's space since the seats were positioned away from other passengers.![]()
In business class, Business Insider's author could recline far back.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Reclining in economy meant I was taking up someone else's personal space.![]()
The economy cabin on a United flight from Denver to Tokyo.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Both seats came with amenities.![]()
Air New Zealand business-class passengers are given a pair of over-the-ear, corded headphones.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
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/Business Insider
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/Business Insider
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/Business Insider
The food and beverages were drastically different.![]()
Side-by-side images of the breakfast on an economy flight versus on a business-class trip.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
I could order endless liquor, wine, beer, and soda in business class.![]()
The author's gin and tonic on a business-class flight.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
In economy, I had to pay for liquor. I did receive glasses of complimentary wine, though.![]()
The author's red wine in a plastic cup on an economy flight.
Monica Humphries/Business 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 and a little tray of salt, pepper, and olive oil.![]()
The author's first-course meal on her Air New Zealand flight.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
I also had a menu of dinner choices, which included Alaskan cod and roasted chicken.![]()
The menu on the author's Air New Zealand business-class flight.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Meanwhile, there wasn't a menu in economy. Instead, flight attendants gave brief descriptions of the dinner options. On my flight to Tokyo, I could choose between chicken and veggies.![]()
The veggie option on a United economy flight.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
I picked the veggie option and wondered whether I'd be eating eggplant Parmesan, a grain bowl, or pasta for dinner. When I lifted the foil, I discovered a vegetable stir-fry.![]()
The uncovered veggie meal on a United economy flight.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
I also learned that you're not guaranteed your meal choice in economy. Since I was in the back of the plane, flight attendants had run out of one of the meals by the time they reached my seat.![]()
Breakfast on the United economy flight.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
As for the bathrooms, they felt similar in size and design. Air New Zealand's business-class restroom had decorative wallpaper.![]()
The bathroom on the Air New Zealand flight.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
United's bathroom lacked that touch. Besides that, I noticed similar toilets and sinks.![]()
The author in the bathroom on the economy flight.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
When the plane touched down in Auckland, I was one of the first passengers off.![]()
Passengers on a business-class flight get their bags from the overhead bins.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
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 the last to disembark.![]()
Business Insider's author had to wait for other passengers to get off the plane.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Ultimately, the perks of business class changed the way I viewed luxury travel. But those luxuries come at a price — one I don't plan on paying anytime soon.![]()
Insider's author sat in both economy and business class for long-haul flights.
Monica Humphries/Insider
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