New York City is a great weekend destination for non-revs based in Atlanta because it’s only a 2-hr flight, plus it’s a major hub for Delta, both domestically and internationally. Getting to NYC isn’t always easy, though, especially from Atlanta. I’d say that ATL-NYC is the most volatile route for non-revs, but it’s definitely possible with a few tips.
Fly Direct to NYC (from ATL and other Delta Hubs)
Direct flights to any of the NYC-area airports (JFK, LGA, EWR) are volatile and hard to predict. You’ll watch seat available quickly dwindle, on top of dozens of non-revs adding themselves to the standby list at the last minute. Then, at the gate, there will be dozens of no-shows from both revenue and non-rev travelers. Five (+5) available seats to any NYC-area airport means there’s a good chance 25 non-revs will get on the flight. That doesn’t always happen, but it often does.
At midnight, I was #14 on the standby list for a 5 a.m. flight, with about 17 seats available. I was #35 when I woke up a few hours later, and then #54 when I got to the gate. Somehow I made it on the flight ā and I got a window seat in Comfort+. I have more stories like that. It seemed hopeless, but I made it.
The golden rule if you want to go to New York from Atlanta (or any other hub) is the same as the golden rule for anything in life: Show up and see what happens.
Tips for flying direct:
- Take the first flight of the day (more no-shows, fewer rollovers)
- Show up even if it looks hopeless
Connect to NYC (Recommended)
If you need to be in NYC on a specific day and time (or just want to get home from NYC) I recommend connecting through a regional or non-hub airport, especially if you were hired after 1995.
Example route: ATL – PIT – JFK.
That’s because you’ll have a much easier time flying to and from regional or non-hub airports. The standby list is typically much shorter and the flight loads are less volatile. (You’ll have a lower chance of no-shows compared to hub-to-hub routes, so that’s something to keep in mind when looking at flights.)
You’ll also typically get a First Class or Comfort+ upgrade because fewer Medallions fly these routes. That’s an added bonus, though. Getting where you need to go is the prize, whether your final destination is NYC, you’re connecting to an international flight or you’re trying to get back home.
Tips for connecting:
- Make sure there are backup flights out of your regional airport in case you don’t get on your desired flight (ex: don’t get stuck in St. Louis overnight)
- Know that standby list numbers are more accurate on these smaller flights
- Factor in gate-checking your bag as the CRJ aircraft are small
Which NYC-Area Airport Should You Choose?
If all things are equal, here’s the breakdown.
LGA:
- Best if your final destination is NYC
- Closest to the city (about 15-20 minutes to the Upper East Side)
- No public transportation, so you’ll have to pay for an Uber or taxi.
- You can transfer to JFK via a shuttle bus or Uber
- Shuttle bus costs $15 (slower, but cost effective if you have time)
- Uber costs anywhere from $45-$60+ (faster, and I prefer this)
- Recommend departing LGA to a regional or non-hub airport if you’re trying to get to another hub
JFK
- Offers the most international routes of all Delta airports
- Recommend for connections abroad, but not for final destination (unless it’s your only option)
- Offers public transportation into the city
- Total cost is about $15
- The journey is complex, requiring multiple transfers (usually takes an hour or longer)
- Flights typically have more no-shows than LGA or EWR
EWR
- I’ve never flown into this airport, so I don’t have much advice
- Not a hub for Delta, so you won’t find many onward flights
- It’s in New Jersey, and you can take public transportation into the city
- Costs around $15
- Takes a long time to get into NYC
Take a Weekend Trip
“There are +5 seats available from ATL – LGA? Don’t threaten me with a good time, Delta.”
Those were some of my Friday evening thoughts. Followed by a text to my friend, “Soooooo, what are you doing tomorrow?”
One of my best friends lives in NYC, so I’d fly up on Saturday morning (to get a good night’s sleep in my own bed on Friday) and fly back on Sunday morning, leaving enough time to relax and get my errands done before returning to work on Monday.
Meg Straight Up 