Spirit Flight 1300 Rebuked to Divert from Air Force One Over New York

Lead: A Spirit Airlines Airbus A321 en route from Fort Lauderdale to Boston was repeatedly ordered by New York air traffic controllers to turn away from Air Force One, carrying President Trump to the U.K., on Wednesday morning.

Nut Graf: The unusual midair admonishment-captured in LiveATC audio-underscores the high-stakes precision demanded when civilian flights share corridors with the presidential aircraft, highlighting both routine safety protocols and the tension they can create in congested airspace.

Near-Miss Over Long Island An audio recording reveals controllers warning Spirit Flight 1300 multiple times to “turn 20 degrees right” as the two jets flew parallel about eight miles apart over Long Island. Despite maintaining FAA-required separation, the controller scolded the crew: “Pay attention. Get off the iPad,” emphasizing Air Force One’s presence by noting its distinctive white-and-blue paint scheme.

Flight Path Details

  • Spirit 1300 departed Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport at 8:15 a.m. EDT and climbed toward Boston Logan International.
  • Air Force One lifted off from Joint Base Andrews en route to London for a state visit by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III.
  • Flight-tracking data shows the closest lateral distance between the jets was eight miles, well above the FAA’s two-mile minimum for en route aircraft.

Controller’s Frustration Over successive alerts, the controller’s tone grew more urgent: “Spirit 1300-turn 20 degrees right immediately. I’ve gotta talk to you twice every time”. Aviation experts note such exchanges are rare but reflect controllers’ heightened vigilance when the president’s safety is at stake.

Spirit Airlines Response A Spirit spokesperson confirmed that Flight 1300 “adhered to procedures and Air Traffic Control directives” throughout the flight and “landed safely at Boston Logan without incident,” reiterating that passenger safety remains the airline’s top priority.

Presidential Visit Context President Trump’s trip to the United Kingdom for high-level meetings with British leaders adds significance to the encounter between his aircraft and a commercial jet. While no safety breach occurred, the incident illustrates the delicate choreography of civilian and VIP movements in America’s busiest skies.

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