❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Spirit Airlines flight drew criticism from air traffic control for flying too close to Air Force One.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Spirit Airlines Flight 1300 pilots, Air Force One, air traffic controllers, and President Donald J. Trump.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Over Long Island, New York, on Tuesday as Air Force One headed to the United Kingdom for a state visit.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Pay attention. Get off the iPad.” – Air traffic controller
🎯IMPACT: Air traffic control ensured the Spirit flight maintained safe distance, with no further incidents reported.
A Spirit Airlines flight drew the ire of air traffic controllers after it flew too close to Air Force One on Tuesday. The incident occurred as President Donald J. Trump was en route to the United Kingdom for a state visit.
The Air Force One, a VC-25A variant of the Boeing 747, had taken off from Joint Base Andrews and was flying over Long Island, New York. Spirit Airlines Flight 1300, an Airbus A321 traveling from Fort Lauderdale to Boston, was also in the area.
An air traffic controller instructed Spirit 1300 to adjust its course, saying, “Spirit 1300, turn 20 degrees right. Pay attention, Spirit 1300, turn 20 degrees right.” The controller repeated directives multiple times, expressing frustration when the pilots did not immediately respond. “Traffic’s off your left wing by six miles or eight miles. 747, I’m sure you can see who it is,” the controller added, emphasizing, “Keep an eye out for him, he’s white and blue.”
The planes crossed paths over Long Island Sound, with the Spirit Airlines flight 9,000 feet below Air Force One. The controller chastised the pilots further, saying, “I got to talk to you twice every time? Pay attention. Get off the iPad.”
AIR FORCE ONE and Spirit Airlines flt NK1300 got too close over Long Island, New York for Air Traffic Control and get’s yelled at including getting told “GET OFF THE IPAD”! 😂
Tip via @xJonNYC
Audio via @liveatc & Tracking via @ADSBex pic.twitter.com/sLJ0rip8sG— Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) September 17, 2025
Spirit Airlines later stated, “Spirit Airlines flight 1300 followed procedures and Air Traffic Control instructions while en route to Boston and landed uneventfully. Safety is always our top priority.”
Air Force One landed safely at London Stansted Airport, and President Trump proceeded with his state visit, which includes meetings with King Charles III and announcements of major tech investments.
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