Fly out of JFK, EWR, or LGA
 

I have a Delta flight in October to Costa Rica from NYC. I can leave out of JFK, EWR, or LGA but no matter what flight I schedule I only have a 1 hour layover in Atlanta. What airport will give me the best chance of making that very tight connection?

I'm not sure it would really matter in terms of delays. Is it possible to get an earlier flight to ATL (or a later connection) or a nonstop?

LGA is less delay prone than JFK or EWR, but all three are problematic.

I would fly from whichever airport is closest to you.

Yep - pick the airport that is closest to you. Delta has hourly flights from LGA to ATL all day long, so if you are concerned about the 1hr layover simply take an earlier flight and make it a 2hr layover.

Delta.com may not show you every combination of flights - you can change that by entering a multi-city itinerary.

NYC-ATL for the 1st flight
ATL - Costa Rica for the 2nd flight

ditto for the reverse

Then you can pick and choose each leg. It should price out the be the same.

PS

I would not consider 1hr a 'very tight connection' at Delta in Atlanta, but it should be easy to get a 2 hr layover if that's what you want to do.

Late afternoon flights are much more prone to delays - mornings at all NY airports tend to be much smoother.

PPS

I see on delta.com twice a day direct flights from LGA to San Jose, Costa Rica. There is a 1hr stop in ATL, but since it's a direct flight you and your bags will already be on board.