I second (third?) (fourth?) the above. The late flight also puts you past rush hour (for the most part) when trying to get to JFK (and let's me leave after the kids go to bed so I am 'gone' one less day ).

My typical plan on this flight is to eat a quick meal, skip dessert (c'mon, I had dinner before I even went to the airport), skip the AA QC headphones and just use my Shures (so they don't wake you up an hour out from LHR), and ask not to be woken for breakfast. I usually wake up as they are readying the cabin for landing. I get a quick cup (or 2) of coffee, maybe a roll (if not, a quick stop in LHR will do the trick), then hit the trail running.

Never had a problem with delays on this flight. Sure we've circled London like a top on more occasions then one, but I never remember an issue. And with the need to leave even more time transitting in LHR due to the BAA quagmire, it tends to be even less an issue. If staying in London, you'll still get to your hotel for afternoon tea.