Quantcast

Spirit Airlines plane redirected by ATC after nearing Air Force One with Trump aboard

GLOBAL INDUSTRY NEWS
US court blocks Biden administration's airline fee disclosure rule
JetBlue Issues Dim Outlook But Execs Remain Confident in Turnaround Plan
These Frequent Fliers Are Done With Loyalty Programs
JetBlue accepting Venmo as payment method for flights purchased through mobile app
United Airlines stock rallies on results, as growing demand wasn’t just about premium seats
Delta Adds Another Alaska Route
Southwest to Reduce Pilot Head Count at Several Bases
Dublin Airport savings boost for holidaymakers – but passengers need to be quick
American Halts CRJ-200 Operations
Shanghai Airlines to Launch Casablanca Route
Delta employees to receive an average five weeks of pay in annual profit sharing
Akasa Air faces DGCA heat for lapses; warning letter issued to airline's accountable manager
Indigo Eyes European Market Amid Intensifying Competition with Air India
Air India to operate daily Delhi-Prayagraj flights for Maha Kumbh
Engine maker agrees to compensate WizzAir for grounded planes
Turkish Airlines’ flights are riddled with bedbugs, passengers say
British Airways frequent flyers react to Executive Club changes
Inside the short-lived, men-only flights where kids and women were banned but cigar and pipe smoking were rife
China steps up drive to break Boeing, Airbus grip on plane market
Heathrow’s New York service clings to spot in top aviation routes
Airline praises pilots in crash-landing where both died but nearly half the passengers survived
Mexico state airline to buy five Embraer planes next year
A record number of people are expected to fly over the holidays. That's good for travel stocks, but not for passengers.
American Airlines technical issue sparks travel chaos on Christmas Eve as flights heavily delayed after being grounded
Why United Airlines has had such a stellar year despite being Boeing's biggest customer
JetBlue nixing routes between multiple major cities, reducing several others
Airline Stocks Led The Travel Industry's Record 2024 Rally. Here's What's Next.
It’s beginning to look like another record for holiday travel
Qatar Airways cleans up at the World Travel Awards
All of the strikes at European airports this winter – find out if you are affected
Global Industry News
Spirit Airlines plane redirected by ATC after nearing Air Force One with Trump aboard
Policy
Webp davis
Dave Davis, Spirit’s President and Chief Executive Officer | Spirit Airlines

A Spirit Airlines Airbus A321 operating flight NK1300 from Fort Lauderdale to Boston was instructed by air traffic control (ATC) to alter its course while flying over Long Island. The directive came as the aircraft approached within 11 miles of Air Force One, which was carrying President Donald Trump to the United Kingdom for a state visit.

The Spirit Airlines flight departed Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport at 08:10 and followed a coastal route northward. Near the end of its journey, ATC intervened as the commercial jet neared the Boeing VC-25A transporting President Trump. According to CBS News, the two planes were closest at an 11-mile separation.

Controllers repeatedly told the Spirit crew to turn away from Air Force One, expressing increasing urgency. After compliance, ATC reportedly admonished the pilots with remarks including "pay attention [and] get off the iPad." Bloomberg also reported on ATC's frustration during the incident.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
Subscribe
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

A spokesperson for Spirit Airlines stated: "Safety is always our top priority. Spirit Airlines flight 1300 followed procedures and Air Traffic Control instructions while en route to Boston and landed uneventfully."

President Trump's journey began at Joint Base Andrews at 09:57 local time, with Air Force One landing at London Stansted Airport at 21:07 local time. The close encounter between Air Force One and Spirit's A321 occurred early in the transatlantic trip.

Despite urgent communications from controllers, both CBS and Bloomberg confirmed that safety guidelines were not breached during the event. Federal Aviation Administration standards indicate that while closer proximity is undesirable, it did not constitute an unsafe distance in this case.

Tracking data shows that NK1300 made a prescribed turn over Long Beach near New York City during descent from 37,000 feet. The aircraft landed safely at Boston Logan International Airport at 11:03 local time, ten minutes ahead of schedule.

After this incident, the same Airbus A321-200 (registration N687NK) completed three additional flights without issue.

Organizations Included in this History
Simple Flying
More News

Emirates hosts UAE Team Emirates XRG after record-breaking cycling season

Emirates Airline hosted members of UAE Team Emirates XRG at its Group Headquarters, marking the team's successful season in international cycling.

Oct 28, 2025

Amazon KSBD Air Hub in San Bernardino celebrates September High Flyers

Amazon has announced that its KSBD Air Hub in San Bernardino recognized its September High Flyers for their outstanding commitment to the company's 16 Leadership Principles.

Oct 28, 2025

Amazon KSBD Air Hub employees join breast cancer awareness parade

Amazon announced that employees at its KSBD Air Hub in San Bernardino participated in the 2025 Pink on Parade for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Oct 28, 2025

Ethiopian Airlines launches loyalty partnership with Etihad Guest

The ShebaMiles loyalty program, operated by Ethiopian Airlines for over 26 years, has more than 5.38 million members and offers four membership tiers: Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

Oct 28, 2025

JetZero signs 30-year lease with Long Beach Airport for design center expansion

Long Beach Airport has entered into a 30-year lease agreement with JetZero, Inc., a company focused on next-generation aircraft design.

Oct 28, 2025

Lufthansa Group announces expanded summer 2026 schedule with new global destinations

Passengers planning summer travel for 2026 can now book flights with Lufthansa Group Airlines, which has released its schedule featuring new destinations and increased frequencies.

Oct 28, 2025

Aviation Comments
Loading...

No comments available.

Trending
1

Flying Food Group awards scholarships to five applicants in 2025

2

Flying Food Group HR manager on wage increases: 'Unite Here has still not responded to Flying Food Group'

3

Flying Food Group's SFO Facility hosts successful Breast Cancer Awareness Day with community support

4

Flying Food Group celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month at SFO facility

5

Flying Food Group recognizes outstanding employees at LAV facility