For your parents, CLE is the obvious choice, as everyone above noted.

However, for a mile-hungry elite like myself, EWR is the choice b/c it nets more miles. If I go IAH-CLE-PA or other places on the east, I'll get 1091 for leg 1, plus whatever for leg 2 (usually 500). For IAH-EWR-East, I'll get 1415 + the second leg. Sure, the 324 miles isn't a lot, but it adds up... and I have a great friend in EWR. If I ever mis-connect, I have somewhere to stay and get a meal with

CLE was my home base for 20 years. Great little airport, really easy to get around. They've got some construction going on at the moment. The only decent bookshop is down the end of C (beyond the PC), but that's in the Continental wing anyway. Also, I'm a fan of the Great Lakes Beer Company (pretty nice local brewery that does a good range). If it works for them, encourage them to stop at the Great Lake bar just opposite the PC, Burning River and Dortmunder Gold are my favourites.

However for a human-hungry Martian like myself, EWR is the choice b/c it nets more humans. If I go IAH-CLE-PA or other places on your planet, I'll get to eat 1091 humans who have tasty legs. For IAH-EWR-East, I'll get 1415 humans. Sure, the 324 humans isn't a lot, but it adds up... and I have a Venusian friend in EWR. If I ever mis-connect, I have somewhere to molt and get a meal of tasty humans with

What? This thread is not about important me, IAHighness? It's about a convenient connection for someone's parents? It has nothing to do with my personal travel preferences or where I have friends? My post in no way adds to any advice already given? In fact I agree with its sentiments wholeheartedly but I'm going to post anyway? You think I'm hijacking this thread with my petty, pointless personal drivel, going on and on about mileage minutia in this thread when the forum is rife with threads that are about miles, for seemingly no other reason than to boost my post count? And what's more I couldn't care less because every topic is really about me, my travel preferences and feckless allusions to hot friends in big cities? Is that what you think? Ridiculous.

Proving yet again that it's happy hour somewhere on the planet.

The only reason to be in EWR is b/c you *have* to be in EWR.

CLE is nice.....and perfect for "parents"

Hope they enjoy their flight and trip! ")

@ the OP: Just make sure that your folks understand the layout at CLE, and the fact that there's an underground walkway that is accessed via long escalators (and elevators, I assume) should they need to change terminals (C to D or vice versa). There are moving walkways in the tunnel, as well as electric carts (as I recall) if needed.

Thanks Bonehead and everyone else for your input. They actually are experience travelers, especially international travel so they know to change terminals and gates; just old and slow now and didn't want to subject them to the craziness of EWR if can be avoided.

CLE: Nicer people
CLE: People who actually seem to enjoy their jobs
CLE: Far less air traffic congestion
CLE: Airport is very easy to navigate

I go through Newark far more often than Cleveland but after dealing with the miserable employees there for years, I really try to fly via Cleveland or Houston if I have to connect.

Btw...there are many very qualified and friendly CO employee's in EWR...but it sure seems the ratio of good to bad is far higher on the bad side than other CO hubs.

Sorry to bring this up again but it looks like CLE is not an option - cost and time. So my folks have to go through EWR. Now the question is the connection time: 53 minutes vs. 2 hrs 12 minutes. Would 53 minutes cutting it close?

The 2 hour 12 minute flight without hesitation. It looks like you are trying to get them into PVD on the last flight in from EWR that evening. A 53 minute connection can easily go south at EWR and if they miss that last flight they are stuck at EWR for the night.

Agree 100%

Actually it is mid day flight getting into PVD ~ 3:30pm ish. The last flight is after 10:30pm. Both flight arrive in PVD at the same flight but the 53 minute leave IAH at 9 am while the other leaves at 7 am. Trying to get extra sleep that am before driving them to the airport as most likely I will be coming back home from my weekly trip late the night prior

Dewd...get your butt out of bed and give them the cushion that they need.