Not judging, but one needs to be realistic. In the winter, unless you're departing NYC no later than early afternoon, you risk Shabbos.
Frum people (Myself included) have an issue with time responsibility. This might be because we are so accustomed to having to be places (like running to Mincha, Chasuna or Bar Mitzvah every other night etc.) on a daily basis that we’ve become indifferent to everything else.
Though I would personally never get on an international flight scheduled to arrive erev Shabbos, I can certainly think of many friends and family that would. This story should serve as a dire warning, but I doubt anyone will care.