https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/2025/09/17/spirit-pilots-scolded-air-force-one/86177737007/
What with a second bankruptcy in a year, a downsized network and soon-to-be-furloughed pilots, this may be a bad time for Florida-based Spirit Airlines to get on President Donald Trump's bad side.
But Spirit pilots, flying from Fort Lauderdale to Boston, were repeatedly told to "turn 20 degrees right" away from Air Force One's airspace over New York and "pay attention" on Tuesday, Sept. 16, as the president and first lady Melania Trump flew to the U.K for a state visit.
"Spirit 1300, traffic's off your left wing by six mile, er, eight miles. 747, I'm sure you can see who it is," an air traffic controller can be heard saying in audio captured by LiveATC.
The encounter happened as both aircraft were flying parallel over Long Island, CNNreported.
"I gotta talk to you twice every time," the exasperated air traffic controller said a few minutes later after receiving no response. "Pay attention. Get off the iPad."
Bluesky user JonNYC noticed the exchange Tuesday.
"ATC was reportedly yelling at NK1300 to get their attention to get them to alter course," he posted. "Not sure it was a "close call" at all, but since AF1 involved.. I tend to believe the yelling part."
There was no incident and the Trumps arrived in the U.K. safely. The Federal Aviation Administration told FOX News that required separation between the aircraft was mantained.
“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,” Spirit said in a statement released to media. “Safety is always our top priority.”
Incompetent pilot or done on purpose?
