I do NYC to ORD a couple of times a year and I never go direct so that I squeeze in another 40TPs each way. I am assuming this fare allows connections in the US of course.. Via Charlotte provides a regular service with easy connections at the airport.
my personal preference is to get a later flight out of NYC to LON so that im tired. A 6:10pm flight from EWR on an7u7 is something I would avoid! YMMV though.