Best economy flight to New York?
I've had a very good flight in Y to NY on the 787.
Plane was almost completely empty which clearly contributed to the flight being good.
If JFK is "much better" as your friend says, I'd discount EWR and thus 787 (assuming he's basing his view on distance / time to get to his place - I wouldn't base it on his perceived arrival experience at an airport). One of the upsides of the 787 can be that it is very fast thus meaning a shorter flight in a Y seat.