Smiles and waves could be seen from passengers despite a scaled back historic first commercial departure from Orlando International Airport to Havana, Cuba.
The fully-booked sendoff was meant to be lively, with Cuban music, dancing, food, and water cannons. JetBlue changed plans to respect those mourning former leader Fidel Castro's death. The country is currently in a nine-day mourning period.
It was under his regime in 1980 that Boston resident Nesderka Solano was split from her mom and sisters and sent to America with her father, an ex-political prisoner. However, she said she's not necessarily celebrating Castro's death.
"I'm not happy, I'm not sad about it. I have nothing against Fidel Castro, never did," she said. She continued later, saying, “Without him, there would be no Cuba to visit today. Cuba would not be Cuba, the culture of Cuba, the people of Cuba."
For Amy Holguin, it's about connection, this is her second visit this year. She went in October to learn more about her family and culture.
"I got very sentimental, to see the house where my dad was born, obviously it's not the same color and pictures that they have but it was an emotional thing to see," Holguin said.
JetBlue will have daily flights to the country from Orlando International Airport. However, travel for leisure purposes is forbidden. Acceptable travel reasons has to be for family, religious purposes, research, sports tournaments and other listed reasons.