Yes, actually it'll work much better for us since we need to drive 3 hrs to EWR to pick them up, and now we don't need to get up at an ungodly hour. I was just super concerned about them waiting for 5 extra hours, my dad is diabetic, they have never flown internationally before and it would have been a big inconvenience all around.

And funny you mention AA. I had originally booked them on AA, but had to cancel within 24 hours when the Italian embassy told us my dad's passport would be delayed. AA gave me a voucher, but when I went to use it for a new flight, it did not allow me to book any flights not originating in US. I tried to use them for other things (an AAVacation among them) unsuccessfully. So I was irate enough to book them on United instead. In the end, AA decided to reissue my voucher at the eleventh hour (almost a year after the incident, a week before expiration), so now I have a usable voucher, but no desire to book through AA again. I guess at least they get extra legroom on United.