I live in New Haven and would add that it's very difficult to generalize about which airport is favored by "most" local residents. USAirways is currently the only carrier which flies out of HVN, and when it works well, it works beautifully, even for international travel. Check your bag in HVN transfer in PHL and the next time you see your luggage is at your destination.

Particularly good for west coast US trips. There's a 5:30 am flight out of HVN which can connect with an 8:00 am flight out west from PHL and get you in well before noon. Take a red-eye back, and you can do a west coast city as a day trip. And I have, although he next day is not pretty.

There are a variety of public transit options to the JFK, LGA, BDL and EWR. Getting to the New York airports is a nightmare, and BDL is an extremely user-friendly airport with inexpensive parking, and easy security clearance. But BDL is usually more expensive than flying out of New York or Boston.

I really like flying out of Boston if I can get a cheap flight. Amtrak to South Station, Silver line to Logan. PVD and White Plains just don't do it for me. Haven't found a price differential that works in my favor.

The bottom line for me is to do my research, factor in door-to-door price and time, then go with the option which suits me best. No one-size-fits-all-here.