A Spirit Airlines flight buzzed past Air Force One while President Donald Trump was traveling to the United Kingdom Tuesday, prompting repeated and increasingly urgent instructions from air traffic control.
Spirit Airlines flight 1300, traveling from Fort Lauderdale to Boston, was ordered multiple times to adjust course after getting too close to the presidential aircraft over Long Island airspace.
“Spirit wings 1300 turn 20 degrees right immediately,” air traffic control instructed after several previous attempts to relay the course correction.
Audio from the incident shows the air traffic controllers growing anger with the Spirit pilot, who is ignoring instructions. The controllers eventually snaps and tells the pilot to get off his iPad.
Take a listen —
Here is that audio:
— JonNYC (@xJonNYC) September 17, 2025
The incident occurred Tuesday evening as Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were flying to London for an unprecedented second state visit with King Charles III at Windsor Castle.
While eight miles may seem like a large distance on the ground, aviation experts say that aircraft separation requirements are much tighter in controlled airspace, particularly when the President of the United States is aboard one of the aircraft.
Air Force One operates under the most restrictive security protocols in aviation, with other aircraft typically required to maintain much greater distances than normal commercial flight separation standards.
“Spirit Airlines flight 1300 (FLL-BOS) followed procedures and Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions while en route to Boston (BOS) and landed uneventfully at BOS,” a Spirit spokesperson said in a statement. “Safety is always our top priority.”
Both aircraft ultimately reached their destinations safely. Air Force One landed in London a few hours later, where the Trumps began their state visit, while the Spirit flight completed its journey to Boston Logan International Airport.
Spirit Airlines has faced scrutiny in recent months over operational challenges and financial difficulties. The budget carrier recently warned investors that it may not survive another year due to mounting financial pressures.
The FAA has not announced any investigation into the incident.