Being essentially in a metal tube sharing space with strangers for a lengthy period of time is sometimes the price one must pay for travel. After visiting 70-plus countries, I have learned a few tips for making the journey a bit better.

Flying in first or business class is undoubtedly a more pleasant experience than flying in economy. Airlines are businesses, and the more seats they can fit into the economy section, the more money they can make. So the seats have become smaller over the years.

If you can upgrade to business class, do it for the longer flights. It can save you a day of jetlag. Getting a full night’s sleep in a lay-flat bed-like chair can help you feel refreshed when you arrive at your destination. If you splurge for business or first class, check the plane online to ensure that you are not just paying for a bigger seat and that it is a seat that allows you to lie down. Some business class cabins give you your own room to separate you from other passengers. And the flight attendants will respect your wish not to be woken for meals or beverage services, though the food and drink offerings are better in the more expensive classes.

I have upgraded using points or occasionally paying for it, if the price is not too high. My status on Delta Airlines (reached after flying so often on that airline) gives me priority for open first class seats after I book a flight. There is a window of time in which to upgrade, closer to the time of the flight.

My mom and my son have upgraded me on flights a few times, which were huge and welcome surprises. I once got bumped to first class completely by chance, which is a rare occurrence. Some claim that it does not hurt to ask at the gate if any first-class seats are still available. I have had friendly gate agents move me to better seats on occasion.

Some Latin American airlines auction off first-class seats if they have not sold as the flight time nears. I have been lucky to score a few upgrades on Latam Airlines when traveling in South America by making the right bid, which was not a high amount.

When flying economy, I check the seating charts to attempt to find a row that will leave the middle seat empty. When I fly with someone else, I will reserve the window and aisle seats because that gives us a better chance that no one will book the middle seat. If someone shows up for the middle seat, we give that person the aisle seat and take the window and middle.

Because I am not tall, I can lie across two seats to sleep if the middle seat is available. It is, of course, even better if I can score a whole row.

If a layover is short, it is more important that I sit as close to the front of the plane as possible so that I can exit the plane quickly upon arrival. I generally try to sit closer to the front because if you are near the front, you generally board early, which gives you a better chance for storage of your carry-on bag in the overhead bins. Once the bins are full, passengers are forced to gate check their bags.

I have had my luggage lost by an airline while flying, so I travel only with a carry-on rolling bag and a backpack that can fit under the seat. I am adept at packing well and in a minimal fashion, taking only one pair of shoes in addition to the larger ones I wear on board, rolling my clothes to minimize the space they take, using packing cubes, and packing no-wrinkle clothes that can be worn in varying combinations. I will use a laundry service abroad or do my own laundry, if necessary.

A good neck pillow is advisable. Mine is inflatable to save space. I pack a sweater or a large scarf to use as a blanket. Airplanes usually are chilly. I always have a refillable water bottle that I fill just before boarding. Being well hydrated helps diminish jet lag. I also bring my own snacks since many airlines charge for food now, though usually not on long-distance flights.

Having one’s own headphones or earbuds is a good idea. Sometimes I wear them to avoid having to talk to seatmates when I am hoping to rest. Plus, it avoids having to wait for flight attendants to bring earphones around to passengers.

I enjoy listening to the guided meditations offered on many flights. The chair yoga offered on some flights’ entertainment systems has also given me ideas for stretching that made me feel less stiff during long-distance flights. When I take restroom breaks, I stretch while up to help with my blood circulation.

Staying seated for so long when traveling to the other side of the world can be uncomfortable, but there are ways to make it more bearable. The temporary discomfort is a price I will gladly pay to experience more of the fascinating world in which we live.