A Spirit Airlines flight drew repeated warnings from air traffic control Tuesday as it approached the path of Air Force One over New York, according to LiveATC audio.
Spirit Airlines pilots scolded by air traffic control for flying too close to Air Force One: ‘Get off the iPad!’ https://t.co/W5VVazPdti pic.twitter.com/cxhTiTjk4p
— New York Post (@nypost) September 17, 2025
The flight, traveling from Fort Lauderdale to Boston, was told multiple times to turn 20 degrees away as President Donald Trump’s aircraft headed to the United Kingdom. Controllers could be heard urging the pilots to “pay attention” and “get off the iPad.”
TURN, TURN, TURN: Spirit Airlines flight flying in vicinity of Air Force One repeatedly ordered to turn pic.twitter.com/gVvDDgxJIy
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 17, 2025
NBC News reported that both planes maintained the required separation, but the tense exchange highlighted the seriousness of the incident. Spirit said the crew followed all procedures and the flight landed safely in Boston. The White House has not yet commented.
