We're considering a Continental flight in May from Memphis to Managua, connecting through IAH. I've flown *to* Houston (it's been awhile though) but never connected there.

Outbound (Saturday morning), it appears we'll come into terminal B and out of E, vice versa on the way back. Continental.com allows booking for connections with as little as 1:05. Is that possible? I wouldn't think so on the way back with immigration (Sunday), so we probably wouldn't try that, but is it doable on the way out? What's it like to change terminals there?

Thanks,
Cliff

Changing terminals is easy since they have a speedy monorail to connect you and to keep you airside. Barring any serious delays you'll be fine.

PS Terminal B is ugly amp; but Terminal E rocks!!

Oh hey, hi P_M! Thanks for the good word. I'd sure like to make that earlier flight if I could. The next one (and only other one) doesn't leave for MGA until 8 hours later and I'd rather drive at the destination while there's still lots of light!

We'll give it a shot!

Hi again Clifton. I suppose one way to guarantee making the early flight is to come to IAH the night before and stay at an airport hotel. Just a thought, have a great trip!!

The fact that the Memphis flight is the first one out almost guarantees on time departure unless there is a freak weather situation. The plane won't be coming in from anywhere. It will be parked overnight, cleaned, and if there were any mechanicals the evening before, then most likely fixed overnight.

The only one time I had an hour+ delay for ~6am TPA-? flight on AA was when the crew came in very really late the night before and the union rules require 8 hour rest before they can fly again. There was nothing AA could do about it because TPA is not one of their hubs and thus no emergency crews sitting around. Thats 1 out of 20 or more early morning TPA-? AA flights. I was never delayed because the plane wasn't there or there was a mechanical. Different story for afternoon/evening flights. The system starts breaking down because of weather/mechanicals/crew problems down the line. As much as I hate the 6-7a flights because of the ungodly hour I had to get up, the flight itself was almost a guarantee to get me to my destination/connection on time.

Have a great trip!

Hopefully we can get this done without an overnight. Having lived in Houston for some time, I think I've spent my last willing night there But not a bad idea otherwise though!

Good point about the first flight. And with CO, there's no competition for crew coming out of Memphis. All the gates here are owned by NW, except for one for AA, one for CO and one for DL... so CO people should be pretty undistracted at that time of morning! Hard to say though... we usually fly AA. But the biggest bunch of take offs at that time of morning are hordes of FedEx planes. So, I think we'll go for the speedy connect on the way out. Thanks again.

Clifton - agree with P_M. Terminal B is used by Continental Express (and though it's been updated, it's not nearly as nice as the new E). E is used for international flights, and some domestic. Connections between the two on the monorail are quick and easy (you can also use the underground train).

Thanks for the reinforcement dfr. Looks like we should make it then!

Here's hoping...

I'm going to piggyback this thread as I have a similar question:

My choice flight has a 43 minute layover arriving in B and departing in terminal C or E (they can't confirm yet which will be the departure terminal for San Francisco)

I talked with Continental and she said she doesn't believe there is an issue of missing the connection. Also, she cannot tell me the origination of my plane in OKC. Flying the first part of March.

I will be taking a carry on except on the first leg which is an express jet. Do they still put our bags in the jetway after landing? Or has that changed?

What are your thoughts?

(btw, there is an earlier flight but it gives me a 2hr17min layover that I would really like to avoid)

That connection is allowed, but I won't recommend it. Spring storms are not uncommon, and if your COEX flight is just a little late, you'll miss your connection.

You need to take the train from B to C or E. But no need to reclear security.

Your gate-check bags from the COEX flight will appear on the jetway.

What flight numbers are you looking at? I'd rather have a longer connection and go to Pappadeux in Terminal E to have something to eat there.

Hey rkkwan! I was hoping you would see this.

The flights are early in the am so Pappadeux's won't be open, I'm guessing anyway.

I'm looking at flight 2639 from OKC to IAH at 9:05am but my earlier choice is 2033 at 7:30am (I am not an early person unless a beach is involved )
We will be at the front of the plane so I was hoping that would help expedite our exit and arrival to the next gate.

Still think the earlier flight??

The plane for the 9:05a CO2639 comes up from IAH at around 7:10a. Usually, both those legs are on-time. In fact, that flight is almost on the ground by 10am, half an hour early.

Exception, this morning. Crappy weather in IAH, and lots of delays.

Also, there are plenty of flights left in the day for IAH-SFO, so you definitely won't be stranded here.

I think I'll take the chance with it, unless you have something super important in San Francisco to do and you absolutely can't miss that flight. [But if that's the case, you probably should go there the night before.]

Sheila - see my thoughts on your US post.

Thanks guys! I was hoping my Houston fodorites would respond.