‘Get off the iPad!’: Spirit plane gets too close for comfort with Trump’s Air Force One

A Spirit Airlines Inc. passenger jet got a little too close for comfort with a Boeing Co. 747 jumbo ferrying US President Donald Trump to London on Tuesday as the aircraft traveled through New York’s famously congested skies.

Air Force One and Spirit Flight 1300, an Airbus SE A321 jet bound from Fort Lauderdale to Boston, were heading over Long Island when an air traffic controller noticed their altitudes were similar and flight paths converging. He repeatedly tried to alert the Spirit pilots to change their course, scolding them: “Pay attention!”

While the aircraft remained miles apart and were never in danger of exceeding safety thresholds, the encounter attracted attention on social media both for the famous presidential aircraft — and the increasingly testy radio reprimands by the New York-based controller.

Trump arrived in London late Tuesday for a state visit that includes a meeting with King Charles at Windsor Castle and expected plans by US companies to spend tens of billions of dollars on technology infrastructure in the UK.

What would have been a non-event for any other aircraft made a stir, resonating with travelers at a time of increased scrutiny of the nation’s aging air-traffic control system and after far closer calls and accidents.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it was aware of social media posts made about the incident and confirmed there were no safety concerns. “Required separation was maintained between the aircraft,” the US aviation regulator said in an emailed statement.

Spirit said the flight followed procedures and air traffic control instructions while en route, and landed uneventfully in Boston. “Safety is always our top priority,” the airline said via email.

The encounter with the Spirit jet was first posted by the @JonNYC account and the audio was shared by @thenewarea51 on X.

“Pay attention, Spirit 1300, turn 20 degrees right,” the controller repeated after the airline crew didn’t respond to his initial message. “Spirit 1300, turn 20 degrees RIGHT NOW.”

Raising his voice again, the controller commanded: “Spirit Wings 1300 turn 20 degrees RIGHT. IMMEDIATELY.”

Finally the Spirit pilots acknowledged the routing change.

“Spirit 1300, traffic’s off your left wing by 6 miles, or 8 miles. 747. I’m sure you can see who it is,” the controller said, referring to the dusty blue Air Force One aircraft. “I’ll keep an eye out for him, he’s white and blue.”

And the New York controller had one final admonishment to the Spirit crew: “Pay attention! Get off the iPad!”