Waiting at the airport on Christmas morning is tough, but it paid off, as families were reunited

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The airport isn't likely where most people want to be on Christmas morning, but sometimes, things don't go as planned.

At Mitchell International Airport on Christmas morning, FOX6 News found sisters, waiting for one more.

"She had to come later than the rest of us," one of the sisters said.

Tammara and Tim Coates was waiting for their three daughters.

A mother and her two young children were waiting for a BIG surprise.

The trip to Mitchell International Airport was supposed to be an in-and-out job for these families, but a text message delivered some bad news.

"We were constantly texting to make sure we were on time. They were delayed four times," one of those waiting for Flight 5200 told FOX6 News.

One hour turned into two, and then three, and suddenly, they were spending Christmas at the airport.

"It's different. We've never done this before, so to travel two hours on Christmas Day (and wait)," Tim Coates said.

Finally, Flight 5200, nearly four hours late, landed at Mitchell International Airport and the sisters were reunited.

The big surprise on the flight -- a Marine, coming home to surprise his children.

A mother from Neenah was reunited with her three daughters.

If there's a present that trumps any other, it might be this: families reunited on Christmas Day -- even if it did mean sitting at the airport.