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.
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- 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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After those 12-hour flights, my entire perspective of airplane cabins — and the value of an upgrade — changed.
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.
Business Insider received a media rate for the round-trip flight to Auckland.
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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.
But when it came to the actual experience, the perks of business class started long before I boarded the plane.
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My business-class Air New Zealand ticket granted me access to Los Angeles International Airport's Star Alliance Lounge.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
When it came to boarding in business class, representatives in the lounge announced when boarding started for my flight.
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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.
My business-class ticket meant I was the first one to board the plane.
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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.
In economy, I was one of the very last passengers to board.
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Once on the plane, I was handed an alcohol wipe instead of bubbly and walked the entire length of the aircraft to row 50.
When it came to the physical seats, I spotted major differences.
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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.
My economy seat, by comparison, was small. My tray table had hardly enough room for my laptop, and my legs couldn't comfortably stretch.
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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.
Reclining in economy meant I was taking up someone else's personal space.
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Both seats came with amenities.
In business class, I had over-the-ear headphones, a bag of toiletries, a water bottle, a blanket, and a pillow.
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In economy, I discovered a blanket and pillow, as well as headphones, at my seat.
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.
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The food and beverages were drastically different.
I could order endless liquor, wine, beer, and soda in business class.
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In economy, I had to pay for liquor. I did receive glasses of complimentary wine, though.
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.
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I also had a menu of dinner choices, which included Alaskan cod and roasted chicken.
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.
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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.
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.
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As for the bathrooms, they felt similar in size and design. Air New Zealand's business-class restroom had decorative wallpaper.
United's bathroom lacked that touch. Besides that, I noticed similar toilets and sinks.
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When the plane touched down in Auckland, I was one of the first passengers off.
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.
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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.
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