I flew 15 hours in Air China's business class with my toddler. The upgrade was worth every penny.

Our business-class tickets included access to the Star Alliance Lounge, which allowed me to spend some quiet time with my toddler before our flight.

Instead of waiting near the crowded gate, we relaxed in comfortable armchairs and enjoyed a buffet spread with burgers, sandwiches, pastas, salads, and desserts.

I enjoyed a salad, some chicken, and a glass of Champagne, while my daughter went straight for orange juice and a slice of cheesecake.

Before heading to the gate, we spent time in my favorite part of the lounge: the cinema room. This area had dim lighting, a big screen at the front, and three rows of plush chairs.

Once we boarded, I was excited to sit in the wide, window-side seats that could convert into a lie-flat bed at the push of a button.

The area provided enough space for my daughter to play and sleep, which created a calmer, cozier atmosphere from start to finish.

Plus, as a mom, I've learned that having her must-haves — like diapers, wipes, snacks, and toys — within arm's reach makes travel much easier.

Luckily, there was a small compartment by the armrest, a pocket beside the seat, and a small space under the entertainment screen, all of which were the perfect size to hold our essentials.

The seat also came with a L'Occitane amenity kit, which included travel-sized essentials like a toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturizer, lip balm, earplugs, and an eye mask.

I was also given slippers, a blanket, and pillows, which set the tone for a comfortable flight.

After boarding, we were welcomed with beverages: a glass of Champagne for me and some juice for my daughter. We were also given hot towels, which I thought was a nice touch and really set the tone for the flight.

While my daughter explored her surroundings, a flight attendant handed me a menu featuring Chinese and American-style dishes, as well as drinks.

There were also plenty of kid-friendly options for my daughter. I ordered her pasta in tomato sauce, but in true toddler fashion, she reached for the fruit and cookie instead.

My dinner was served in three courses, and made me feel like I was dining at an elegant restaurant in the sky.

The appetizer was a duck pâté with salmon, along with salad and some fruit.

For the main course, I ordered two meals: Western-style lamb chops with rosemary sauce and traditional Chinese-style spicy scallops with rice. Both were perfect with a sip of red wine.

However, compared to the meal, my daughter seemed far more interested in the desserts.

She figured out that the attendant seemed to have an endless supply of Häagen-Daz ice cream — and tested the theory at least three times throughout the flight.

While she enjoyed her ice cream, I had a slice of chocolate mousse cake.

I came prepared with lots of items to keep my daughter occupied during the flight, but she preferred the entertainment screen. It was much better than staring at my smaller iPad screen for hours.

There was a good selection of in-flight entertainment programs for kids, and she even got to watch some Chinese cartoons she'd never seen before.

Plus, it was nice that we each had our own screen.

When it was time for bed, I changed into pajamas and relaxed into my lie-flat seat. The pillow the airline gave me was soft, and the cotton comforter kept me warm.

Overall, I slept far better than I usually do in coach, and I almost felt like I was sleeping in my own bed. The best part, though, was that my daughter slept for more than eight hours, just like she would at home.

When we woke up, we were almost in Beijing, which likely would've been impossible in economy class.

As a first-time mom, I've learned that traveling alone with a toddler is never easy. However, the comfortable amenities — and the incredible service — made the process much easier.

During the flight, the attendants regularly checked on us to see if we needed anything. They even played with my daughter when I went to the restroom, allowing me to have a moment to myself.

The entire experience vividly demonstrated to me the difference between enduring the flight and enjoying a comfortable, manageable journey.

In this case, it was definitely worth the money, and I would absolutely upgrade to business class for future flights if given the chance.