Originally Posted by
coastdk
I just pop in some earplugs, or my headphones and accept that I'm on public transport.
^
It can hardly come as a surprise to any frequent traveler that airplanes can be noisy for various reasons. If you don't want to invest in noise canceling headphones, at least get some earplugs. Sometimes you can get them from the FA if you ask nicely. Personally I combine both.
However, if I'm really bothered, I don't see the harm in a slight nudge without waking the person.