pay to sit in the first row (significantly more legroom / less interaction with the riff raff) and ufirst for priority boarding and counter access. Check in online and get your boarding pass. Yes you will have to pay for bottled water.

Honestly it's not that bad, it's better than FR for sure. It's not the same as a KA 320/1 in J like in the good old days but for an 1-2 hour segment you'll live.