Air traffic controllers issued a sharp reprimand to the pilots of Spirit Airlines Flight 1300 after the aircraft flew uncomfortably close to Air Force One while President Donald Trump was on board Tuesday, as reported by The New York Post.
The incident occurred as the president’s plane traveled over Long Island en route to the United Kingdom.
According to Bloomberg, Spirit Flight 1300 was traveling from Fort Lauderdale to Boston when it drew the attention of controllers monitoring the skies near Air Force One.
Tempers fray as Spirit jet told to divert from Air Force One https://t.co/YStVAjcMzJ
— ✈Monica-مونيكا✈️ (@vargasmoni) September 17, 2025
The unusual exchange was captured on recordings from liveatc.net and shared on social media platform Bluesky.
“Spirit 1300, turn 20 degrees right,” the controller directed. After the instruction was repeated multiple times, the pilots eventually acknowledged and adjusted course.
The controller, clearly frustrated with the delay, reminded the pilots of the seriousness of the situation.
“Spirit 1300, traffic off your left wing by six mi– or eight miles, 747. I’m sure you can see who it is. Keep an eye out for him — he’s white and blue,” the controller said, in reference to Air Force One.
The exchange escalated when the controller delivered a final warning. “Pay attention! Get off the iPad,” the voice said over the frequency.
Air traffic controllers urgently and repeatedly ordered the pilots of Spirit Airlines flight 1300 to turn away from Air Force One Tuesday over Long Island, New York. pic.twitter.com/c7BbCgF5d5
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) September 17, 2025
Despite the tense back-and-forth, Bloomberg reported that Air Force One was never in actual danger. Spirit Airlines confirmed that the flight proceeded without further incident and landed safely in Boston.
“Safety is always our top priority,” a Spirit Airlines spokesman told CBS News after the incident. “Spirit Airlines Flight 1300 followed procedures and Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions while en route to Boston and landed uneventfully.”
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump departed Joint Base Andrews in Maryland earlier in the day before making their way to London Stansted Airport.
The president’s itinerary includes a meeting with King Charles III at Windsor Castle, followed by discussions with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday.
Air traffic controllers frequently issue course corrections for civilian aircraft to ensure safe distances from Air Force One, but the pointed reprimand directed at Spirit’s pilots stood out.
The interaction underscored the heightened level of caution surrounding the president’s official travel.
The Spirit Airlines crew has not been accused of wrongdoing beyond the delay in acknowledging instructions, but the audio exchange has drawn attention online for the unusual tone used by air traffic controllers in reminding the pilots of the proximity to the nation’s most recognizable aircraft.
Considering the recent aircraft accidents, I would hope that the pilots are not DEI, and merely strayed off course.