I had a family member travelling on CO 264 last night (delayed 5.5hrs but that's a different story)

I had booked the ticket and my e-mail was in the booking. I noticed that the TripAlert emails aren't called that any more for a start, and they were sent on a timely basis each time there was a significant change in the status of the flight. Received a total of 5, formatted as follows:

Basically the same format as a regular TripAlert email, minus the TripAlert. I also received a different email once the delay started increasing - titled Important Flight Information - Confirmation xxxxxx. This explained that there was a significant delay, and advised me to pull up the booking on co.com. Once I did that I could see that the flight had been marked for IRROPS, and could see the options to search for a different date / nearby airport which I've seen before and noted here.

Overall this was a big step up in the communication that's normally provided in the event of delays like this. Wonder if there have been some system upgrades recently. Good job overall ^

I've been receiving those types of TripAlerts for several years as long as it is the first segment of a trip. It's the connecting flights that I receive no notification on.

I am currently sitting in the YQB airport. My two children are flying as UM's on CO 4463 YQB-EWR.

The scheduled departure was 12:11 PM. Incoming a/c pulled into the gate at 11:55 AM. Boarding began at 12:40 PM. The plane is now sitting at gate 31 on a ground hold.

I am completely registered for full notifications on co.com, but here is the only one I received:

At 10:06 am/25FEB, CO4463/25FEB from YQB gate 33 is scheduled to depart at 12:11 pm and arrive into EWR at 1:54 pm.
Info subject to change.

Be in the know on the go. Get real-time flight status, seat maps, standby lists and more at http://continental.com/info

It's currently 1:45 PM. The flight was scheduled to land at 1:54 PM, 9 minutes from now...

Why no notification of any useful type?

UPDATE: De-icing just started...it's 1:46 PM

P.S.: This is not a complaint about the delay, I understand there are high winds at EWR...I very much appreciate my kids being safe. I'm just wondering why I can't get even a smidge of relevant information.

Agree. What does mobile.united.com say?

I find TripAlert only useful for upfront delays (known hours ahead).

Since I was in Canada, I turned off my data roaming (which is brutally expensive).

I did look at co.com while at the YQB VIP lounge, and I never saw any update, it kept showing the flight as on time.

On Delta the flight notification system is tremendously effective, providing constant and useful updates on flight delays and cancellations.

I wonder why CO couldn't have a similar system?

This functionality does exist in the CO system, but it is somewhat random in when the notifications are sent. It is far more reliable for mainline flights. I have received 10+ notifications on a delayed mainline flight in many cases, with updates to departure / arrival time as they changed on the flight status page.

From a customer's point of view, there is the same need to be notified whether the flight is mainline or regional carrier.

And with nearly half of all domestic daily departures being handled by the regionals, there is no reason why CO shouldn't integrate them more effectively in their notification protocol.

No need to argue. I'm not saying it's good enough the way it is - simply helping people understand how things actually are. And then you go all idealistic

Let me tell you, United's EasyUpdates are no picnic either. The first time I got one ever was for a flight I took in January, and that was only for the return.

Best thing I found was to always (even if you dont have a SmartPhone (or want to download the app) send my flights to an travel organizing site like Kayak/Tripit/WorldMate/BlackBerry Travel/Etc.

I send my trips to all three (dont even have a BlackBerry) and have found all three to be relatively reliable in providing updates. -- When I land, I know I'll have at least one or two texts or e-mails, telling me about my connection.

In the past few weeks I have received a number of delay updates. They are generally 5-10 minutes behind when the delay is reflected at the gate and don't really provide any reason for the delay.

Many times the delay in receiving info could be a result of the airline waiting to the last minute to inform paxs. Three weeks ago I was at EWR and it was about 20 min prior to departure and the GA finally informed us that our aircraft had mtc issues and was still on the ground in PHL. They should have known at that point there would be a delay but instead they wait and wait to post a new departure time.

There is no argument whatsoever. I agree with you 100% but I don't think it's especially idealistic to expect the airline to provide this type of notification to passengers flying on about 50% of its domestic flights, especially when you consider that other carriers provide very detailed notification.

In the case of CO 4463 my children were on there was never any notification beside the boiler plate one I quoted above, not on my email, via text, nor on co.com.

I received this one when a recent EWR-ORD flight was late:

Hadn't seen an email like that from CO ever.