Owning up to being the guy who brings his own blanket. I bring one for the plane and one for the hotel. Just like having my own and it makes me sleep better. if I could pull off the pillow, I would.
The big Bose noise canceling headsets work great, but I have trouble with them because I turn my head. I have found noise canceling ear buds. Not as effective but more comfortable.
I download some soothing music as background , white noise. I found something on iTunes called Music for Reading and Studying by Autumn Hill Ensemble. It's just as dull as it sounds, but thats kinda the point...right?
I also to try arrive at the plane tired. Adjusting tour sleep schedule, getting up early etc all work.
I can't wear an eye mask. It drives me insane. I have the same coolmax travel blanket as Laurie (think t-shirt material) and I have pulled that up over my head or made a sort of turban out of it....just to block light. I know it's not pretty, but impressing my fellow passengers is not high on the priority list.
Also a baseball cap pulled down really low so the bill covers your eyes works well.
The bottom line...do everything you can to make yourself as comfortable as possible...and then take a sedative with a glass of wine. It's a little "old movie star"
, but if it gets you to sleep....