Originally Posted by
Analise
Hard to do when you live in Manhattan.

I try to fly out on the first flight of the day. As for my return flight, I have my books and my poetry to protect me.
I don't live in Manhattan but all three NYC area airports are equidistant from where I am in Brooklyn - I opt for JFK when I can because it seems more resilient against weather and traffic. Other than that I don't really try to avoid airports except to try to avoid connecting north in winter and south (and ORD late afternoon/early evening) in summer. Also try to fly earlier in the day in the summer months overall.