Thanks for all your help.
My thoughts:
AA - from NYC I'd have to go to Chicago - no way I'd do that. And, through London requires changing from LHR to LGW -
UA - through Munich or Italy - I hadn't thought about UA, and didn't know of Munich flight to Sicily - thanks, although it certainly looks like Fridays (and Thursdays)are hard (impossible?)in business on award travel.
US - no interest in going to Phil, 3 flights.