Audio recordings have surfaced capturing the moment when air traffic controllers had to urgently direct a Spirit Airlines pilot to prevent a potential close encounter with Air Force One.
This incident occurred while Spirit Airlines Flight 1300 was en route from Florida to Massachusetts earlier in the week. Concurrently, US President Donald Trump and the First Lady were on board Air Force One, traveling to the UK for a state visit.
Controllers overseeing the airspace above New York detected the Spirit Airbus A321 flying alongside Air Force One at a separation of just eight miles. Although the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) later clarified that this did not violate safety regulations, the close proximity was concerning enough to prompt immediate action.
Audio from the LiveATC service reveals the urgency in the voices of the controllers as they issued repeated commands.
One controller exclaimed: “Spirit 1300 turn 20 degrees right. Pay attention, Spirit 1300 turn 20 degrees right. Spirit 1300 turn 20 degrees right, now. Spirit wings 1300 turn 20 degrees right, immediately.”
Another controller added a cautionary note: “Pay attention. Spirit 1300 traffic off your left wing by six miles— uh, eight miles, 747. I’m sure you can see who it is…
“Keep an eye out for him — he’s white and blue.”
The conversation continued with a memorable directive: “Pay attention. Get off the iPad.”
Although it sounds like a scene from a movie, this exchange was genuine. The Spirit pilots can be faintly heard acknowledging the instructions, though static impairs the clarity of their responses.
Fortunately, the incident did not escalate. Spirit confirmed the flight landed in Boston as scheduled without issues.
An airline spokesperson stated: “Spirit Airlines Flight 1300 followed procedures and Air Traffic Control instructions and landed uneventfully at BOS. Safety is always our top priority.”
The FAA confirmed that their preliminary investigation indicated the aircraft maintained the necessary separation, despite the intense radio communications.
Nonetheless, the recording has ignited discussions about cockpit distractions, especially focusing on the unusual directive to ‘get off the iPad’. Whether literal or not, the comment highlighted the controllers’ frustration as they managed air safety around the president’s aircraft.
President Donald Trump and Melania Trump subsequently arrived in the UK on time, receiving the customary high-profile reception. However, for those who have heard the ATC exchange, the thought of a commercial flight nearing the world’s most recognizable plane is undeniably nerve-wracking.