In this not-so-golden age of flying, no one crammed in coach expects to get much sleep on a red-eye, but a little planning can help.

Bring your own soft throw to replace the flimsy blanket the airline may (or may not) provide. Pack water and a meal. “You can eat and go to sleep while everyone else is waiting for the drinks cart,” says Rudy Maxa, host of PBS’s Smart Travels: Europe With Rudy Maxa. Consider investing in a pair of noise-canceling headphones, which block the sounds of the engine — and the snorer in 17F.

Make your seat reservation as far in advance as possible, and be specific — not just aisle or window. Find out, online or by phone, what type of aircraft you’ll be on, then go to SeatGuru (www.seatguru.com) to locate the best and worst seats. (Some exit-row seats don’t recline, for example.) If you’re choosing over the phone, ask for something near the front of the plane (“There’s no such thing as a great seat at the back,” says Maxa) and far from the restrooms. If you must sleep, ask a doctor for a sleeping-aid prescription.