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

Home
»
Stories
»
2025
»
September

GLOBAL INDUSTRY NEWS

Travelers are taking extreme measures and using hacks to avoid airline baggage fees

Wizz Air becomes first airline to operate P&W-powered Airbus A321XLR jet

Hawaiian Airlines’ new ‘no show’ policy may make travel more expensive

BLIMP-SE OF THE FUTURE Luxury zeppelins of the future from ‘flying bum’ world’s largest aircraft to Google billionaire’s ‘impossible’ airship

Swiss Startup SmartFlyer Develops Hybrid-Electric Trainer

San Francisco-based entrepreneur takes a trip on India's worst-rated airline, his reaction will surprise you

First-Time Flyer at 81: A Grandmother's Memorable Journey

Ryanair forecasts fare rebound as consumers recover from interest-rate hit

Global Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight, Aiming to Revive 'Golden Age of Travel'

Winning routes: American Airlines adds more than 22,000 seats for football fans following release of 2025–2026 pro schedule

Boeing scores Middle East plane deal during Trump visit

Air travel will be ‘worse’ this summer, lawmakers warn — as FAA gives infuriating update on system fixes, staffing issues

United Airlines CEO Reassures Passengers About Newark Airport Safety

American Testing Tech to Help Passengers Make Connecting Flights

British Airways to use AI in efforts to improve operations

American Airlines Tests New Tech to Help Passengers With Tight Connections During Summer Rush

Flight Diverted After Pregnant Woman on Board Goes into Labor and Delivers Her Baby: Report

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says "this is the most optimistic I've been in my entire career about finally getting the FAA fixed"

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Unveils Plan to Build Brand New, State-of-the-Art Air Traffic Control System

Passenger rushing for next flight can't believe what woman next to her does

Why fuel price crash won’t make flying cheaper

Kristi Noem says travelers without Real ID will still be able to fly after deadline

Frontier Airlines Announces New Routes Launching This Summer, Connecting Baltimore With Chicago O’Hare and Trenton, N.J. With Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Airlines in North America prioritize investments in cyber, AI

The evolution of the airline uniform — a cross check

Global Airlines & HiFly Operate 1st Passenger Airbus A380 Flight Between Barcelona And Berlin

American Airlines unveils ritzy new plane suites launching this summer

Airline Stocks To Keep An Eye On - April 28th

Gatwick Airport Faces Potential Strikes

50 New Routes Starting In May 2025

Global Industry News

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

Policy

Dave Davis, Spirit’s President and Chief Executive Officer | Spirit Airlines

By Sky Industry News

Sep 23, 2025

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

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

Aviation Comments

Loading...

No comments available.

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

GLOBAL INDUSTRY NEWS

Travelers are taking extreme measures and using hacks to avoid airline baggage fees

Wizz Air becomes first airline to operate P&W-powered Airbus A321XLR jet

Hawaiian Airlines’ new ‘no show’ policy may make travel more expensive

BLIMP-SE OF THE FUTURE Luxury zeppelins of the future from ‘flying bum’ world’s largest aircraft to Google billionaire’s ‘impossible’ airship

Swiss Startup SmartFlyer Develops Hybrid-Electric Trainer

San Francisco-based entrepreneur takes a trip on India's worst-rated airline, his reaction will surprise you

First-Time Flyer at 81: A Grandmother's Memorable Journey

Ryanair forecasts fare rebound as consumers recover from interest-rate hit

Global Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight, Aiming to Revive 'Golden Age of Travel'

Winning routes: American Airlines adds more than 22,000 seats for football fans following release of 2025–2026 pro schedule

Boeing scores Middle East plane deal during Trump visit

Air travel will be ‘worse’ this summer, lawmakers warn — as FAA gives infuriating update on system fixes, staffing issues

United Airlines CEO Reassures Passengers About Newark Airport Safety

American Testing Tech to Help Passengers Make Connecting Flights

British Airways to use AI in efforts to improve operations

American Airlines Tests New Tech to Help Passengers With Tight Connections During Summer Rush

Flight Diverted After Pregnant Woman on Board Goes into Labor and Delivers Her Baby: Report

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says "this is the most optimistic I've been in my entire career about finally getting the FAA fixed"

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Unveils Plan to Build Brand New, State-of-the-Art Air Traffic Control System

Passenger rushing for next flight can't believe what woman next to her does

Why fuel price crash won’t make flying cheaper

Kristi Noem says travelers without Real ID will still be able to fly after deadline

Frontier Airlines Announces New Routes Launching This Summer, Connecting Baltimore With Chicago O’Hare and Trenton, N.J. With Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Airlines in North America prioritize investments in cyber, AI

The evolution of the airline uniform — a cross check

Global Airlines & HiFly Operate 1st Passenger Airbus A380 Flight Between Barcelona And Berlin

American Airlines unveils ritzy new plane suites launching this summer

Airline Stocks To Keep An Eye On - April 28th

Gatwick Airport Faces Potential Strikes

50 New Routes Starting In May 2025

Organizations Included in this History

More News

Aviation Comments

Loading...

Trending