I flew premium economy on my long-haul Emirates flight. It was cheaper than flying coach at a better time and way nicer.

A 5 a.m. flight meant an early wake-up call, but looking forward to my upgraded trip put me in a positive mindset before the 14-hour flight.

My experience at the airport was great, too, as there was a dedicated check-in area and priority boarding for premium-economy flyers.

The premium-economy cabin was at the front of the plane, separate from economy. It consisted of just a few rows, which made it feel exclusive.

Two premium-economy seats took up about the same space amount of space as three economy seats, so I had a lot of room to stretch out.

With the extra width and seat recline, I didn't feel cramped and could easily relax or stretch out to sleep.

The seat-back entertainment screens were also a nice size at just over 13 inches, which made watching movies a better experience.

The aisles in premium economy felt wider, which allowed for easy movement throughout the cabin. Passengers weren't bumping into the aisle seats to try to squeeze through like they often do in economy.

At the front of the cabin, there was a decent amount of space, so I walked around and even did some stretches and Pilates — a great way to keep my muscles moving and blood flowing on a long flight.

There was rarely a queue for the toilets as there were three dedicated restrooms in premium economy that easily accommodated the number of passengers in the cabin.

Breakfast was served about 45 minutes after takeoff, which was great timing so I could eat and then go right to sleep. I also got lunch about halfway through the flight and a hot snack shortly before we landed.

My meals, which I was able to select from a long menu, were served on actual dishware with metal cutlery. Without disposable utensils and plates, the dining experience felt way more premium.

The food was tasty and filling, and additional snacks like nuts, chips, and fruit were available throughout the flight.

I kept hydrated via a constant supply of water bottles, and although I didn't drink, there was a wide range of complimentary liquor, beer, and wine on offer.

Emirates staff was attentive, and with the premium-economy section pretty empty, my flight felt more personalized.

The onboard crew seemed friendly and always ready to help.

When I asked a crew member to take some photos of me, she didn't hesitate and even offered to give me a tour of both the business and first-class cabins.

I felt a bit like an intruder as I took her up on the offer. The seats, amenities, and experience in these cabins seemed another few levels up — and they gave me something to aim for in the future.

The flight went by quickly — well, as quickly as 14 hours can go —and I felt more rested than on previous long-haul flights.

I can see why Emirates' premium economy is rated so highly, and I'd recommend trying it, even if you have to pay a little more.

After my ticket for less than coach, I'd also suggest looking at the cost of premium economy on less desirable flights. You may need a bit of luck and some last-minute planning, but it might pay off.

Getting up earlier than I wanted was worth it to travel with perks — and flying in premium economy is certainly a great way to kick off any trip.