Gatwick or Heathrow??
 

Is there any reason not to fly into Gatwick from NY if you are willing to take to the train to/from London?

Gatwick is a perfectly acceptable choice and the Gatwick Express train is comfortable and efficient. Many of us don't have the option except a long stop in a U.S. city on the way.

I like Gatwick.

Gatwick is very accessible via the Gatwick Express (not as easy by car). There is no reason to avoid it.

It's also a damn sight better than Heathrow.

One or the other, it doesn't really matter. Both have excellent connections to Central London. The airline and the fare should make the decision for you.

Although Heathrow is closer to the city, it's also huge and overcrowded, and taxi drivers delight in charging you a fortune. Gatwick (or Stansted or Luton) all have excellent train connections into Central London and tend to be less crowded, newer and more pleasant all round. I arrived back home to London via Heathrow the other day at the same time as planes from all corners of the globe and had to fight with 1000s for baggage tolleys. Nightmare.

Thanks for the advice!