Passengers at MIA fly to Madrid days after plane struck by lightning

MIAMI – Travelers flew out Friday from Miami to Madrid, days after their Air Europa flight was forced to return to Miami International Airport after it was struck by lightning.

"It feels really good right now," passenger Elizabeth MacLean told Local 10 News Friday morning before her 12:30 p.m. flight. "I hope no other issues come up."

Airport officials said Air Europa flight 98 took off from MIA just before 9:30 p.m. Wednesday when a lightning strike cracked the plane’s windshield.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the flight safely returned to the airport at 11:30 p.m.

Passengers said they understood  the situation, but didn't like how it was handled afterward.

"(There is) incredible frustration because the communication throughout has been horrible," Julia Waller said.  

"We've been here for two days, and now this right here -- (expletive)," Mike Lappin said.

Lappin was hoping to celebrate 46 years of marriage in his wife's home country.

Other passengers also had celebrations and occasions planned during trip to Spain.

"This is a trip in memory of my grandmother. That's where she was born," Alejandra Grimsley said.  

"(We're) trying to hang in there. We're just trying to hang in there and be positive. We'll get there," another passenger said.

Hours after arriving at the airport Friday morning, the passengers took off for Spain at 12:30 p.m. 

"At least we got hotel stay. We got food," Yusef Cabrera said. "Not all airlines do that."