I took two long-haul flights, one business and one economy. The benefits were drastically different – take a look.

• I have flown around the world in both business class and economy cabins.

• In 2022 I was in business class with Air New Zealand. Last year I flew in United’s economy class.

• Each seat offered noticeably different amenities, from lounge access to bedding.

Traveling to distant destinations is a dream. There is no way to get there.

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 free toiletry bag on an Air New Zealand Business Class flight to free earplugs on a United Economy flight, take a look at all the difference in amenities.

In 2022, I embarked on my first business class flight between Los Angeles and Auckland, New Zealand. I quickly learned that the benefits of a business class ticket started long before I boarded the plane.

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

When it came to my United Economy flight between Denver and Tokyo, check-in looked drastically different. I used a self-check-in computer and waited in a much longer line for my luggage to be dropped off.

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

My economy ticket didn’t give me lounge access, so I went to my boarding gate.

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

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

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

There was a footrest, which also served as an extra seat if I wanted to chat with another passenger.

There was also a plastic water bottle and over-ear headphones.

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

In economy I didn’t get any toiletries or a bottle of water, but flight attendants did come through the cabin with free earplugs.

Both seats had entertainment, but the screens were different. In business class my screen was 11 inches and I could move it depending on how I was sitting.

Meanwhile, my economy screen seemed slightly smaller and not moving.

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

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

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

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

In United’s economy class, passengers received a blanket and travel pillow, which I didn’t think were nearly as cozy as the business class offerings.

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

And drinks were free.

In economy, my free alcoholic drinks include wine and beer.

Snacks were available at both seats, but in business class I could order an unlimited amount.

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

Read the original article on Business Insider