Passengers stranded at LF Wade International Airport after their transatlantic flight was diverted have praised staff at the travel hub for the way they were treated.

Travellers were grounded at the airport for about 20 hours after an American Airlines flight from Miami to London was forced to land just after midnight on Monday owing to suspected mechanical problems.

The incident drew international attention as the 300 passengers had to sleep on the floor at the airport, with some stating they had felt “abandoned” by the airline.

American Airways put up its crew in a local hotel, but decided against doing the same for passengers.

Pictures of travellers bedding down on the airport’s floor were featured in news outlets across the world as a number of passengers complained of being cold and enduring a lack of food.

Following the unusual situation, Aaron Adderley, Skyport’s president, said that some passengers had contacted the airport to express thanks for the support given.

Travellers Aleksandra and Julian Zilly said they had received “amazing care” from ground staff.

They said: “We have since made it back home to Switzerland one day late, and are now recovering from the adventure, as we are sure Bermuda is too.

“We would especially like to thank all the people who were handing out blankets, water and food — in particular the lady with shoulder-length dark hair who was five minutes away from home after her shift ended when she was called to come back to babysit us.

“We are also truly sorry for any grief the other passengers may have caused any of you.

“We find it ridiculous that anyone could be upset with how the Bermuda ground staff treated us, and we sincerely hope that their hard work and efforts will be additionally recognised, also by the airport.”

Discussions are set for next week involving relevant parties to look at ways of dealing with such a situation in future.

The passengers were able to leave the airport at 8pm on Monday night and continued their journey to London on a replacement aircraft.