I just got an email that my mother and sister's flight from Houston to Newark has changed, which means they have quite a tight connection now to go onward to Rome. I'm wondering if anyone else has experience with this since I've never flown thru Newark myself, nor have I flown CO in many years. I'm hoping they'll make it since I am meeting them in Rome on another flight.

Their CO flight lands Newark at 4:45 p.m. Their connection to Rome departs at 5:35 p.m., which means boarding will commence about 5:05 p.m. My mother is flying First Class with wheelchair assistance, but my sister will be in coach.

Any thoughts on whether or not they'll make it? I contacted Continental and they said they should be fine since a legal connection is 40 minutes or more (they have 51 minutes), but I'm curious about other's experiences with Continental or even possibly the same connection?

I guess I'd better pray that their flight out of Houston isn't delayed.

Have they tried changing to the earlier flight. CO40 arrives at 3:24, just over an hour before CO152. It's also a 762, so your mom will still get the big BF seat. That'll give them much more time - about 2 hours total.

Since the schedule has changed, CO should be able to accomodate them, especially since at least one of them is flying FC.

Having said that, last May I flew IAH-DFW-EWR-BRS (Bristol, UK). I had a 65-minute connection, but my flight out of DFW was about 30 minutes late departing; plus we were put on a hold by air traffic for about 15 minutes. Still, I managed to get on my flight to Europe with about 10 minutes to spare.

So, 50 minutes is not a lot, but is generally enough for a IAH-EWR-FCO transit.

Thanks for the info. I think I'll call CO back and see if they can get on an earlier flight w/o being charged a penalty.

I called CO back and they are now both on the 10:45 a.m. flight, which gives them about two hours. Thanks for the advice, rkkwan. I didn't check changing it before because I figured they penalize me, but they didn't even bring it up!

I feel much better now in case their Houston departure were to be delayed.

Sounds good. If your mom's is flying BusinessFirst the whole way, she'll have a great experience. Since she needs a wheelchair, I suggest she gets the middle single seat.

Also, they should be able to put your sister in that mini-cabin just behind your mom. It's quiet and nice there.

CO's 767s are pretty new and comfortable. They should enjoy they flight.

Yes, my mom is in Business First the whole trip, both over and back. She is already assigned the middle/single seat, and I can't wait to get to Rome just to hear all about her experience. Having never flown first class myself, I'm so very glad that I was able to get an affordable fare for her to go that route. Her ticket has already more than doubled since I booked her flight.

Sis is already assigned aisle seats in coach for all flights, but I've told them that it doesn't hurt to see if she could possibly be upgraded when they check in so that she can sit nearer to my mom. However, we know that is an extreme long shot and don't anticipate it happening. Never hurts to ask, though.

I'm very glad I'm able to do this for my mom, her dream trip to Rome AND flying first class, and hopefully DH and I will be able to splurge to do the same for ourselves one of these days.

Thanks again for all your help with this flight situation, rkkwan. You were the person I had in mind when I initially posted the question.

I have not flown in Continental's BusinessFirst either, but my parents sometimes do (either mileage award or the very rare operation upgrade). They've always enjoyed their flights in BF.

Chance of your sister getting into the BF cabin for EWR-FCO is close to zero; but for IAH-EWR, perhaps. Never hurt to ask.

Also, tell them don't forget to use the President's Club; especially during their 2-hour transit at EWR. It's located near the security entrance, next to a Starbucks. They can also use it at IAH; the new one at Terminal E is much nicer than the others, but I guess they'll probably want to go to one closest to their gate. [I'm not sure if an international BusinessFirst's companion is allowed in generally, but I doubt they'll bar your sister in their situation.]

Newark is a compact airport and has... not sure what they are called, carts like on golf courses only 6 or 8-seaters and luggage carriers. They are free, a tip is expected.

Coming back the gate to SF was changed, so there were some employees re-directing everybody to another gate.