How to make economy feel like an upgrade, according to a travel expert who's spent 3,500 hours in premium cabins

Flight expert Zach Griff shares how to bring the luxuries of first and business class to the economy cabin.

Courtesy of Zach Griff Flying economy can feel crowded, cramped, and generally unpleasant.

But it doesn't have to be.

Here's how to give yourself an upgrade when you're stuck in economy.

Economy seats may be smaller than those in upgraded classes, but that doesn't mean you have to be cramped between passengers.

Economy tickets may not include a meal, but that doesn't mean you can't have a fine-dining experience.

The economy cabin will never be as comfortable as first class , but that doesn't mean you can't make the most of it.

Enter Zach Griff, travel expert and author of the travel newsletter From the Tray Table .

Griff estimates he's spent 3,500 hours flying more than 1.8 million miles in business and first-class cabins .

He flies 150,000 miles a year on average, including roughly 50,000 in economy.

With so much experience in premium cabins , Griff has a few tips that make his economy flights feel like an upgrade.

Start by booking a flight during an unpopular travel time.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider One of the big perks of premium cabins is having more personal space.

If you can avoid flying in a crowded economy cabin, you may be more likely to end up with an empty seat next to you, which can feel like an upgrade, Griff told Business Insider.