On Way To London, Trump's Air Force One Has Close Encounter With Another Plane: Report
A Spirit Airlines Inc. passenger jet got a little too close for comfort with a Boeing Co. 747 jumbo ferrying US President Donald Trump to London as the aircraft traveled through New York's congested skies.
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- From: India News Bull
During President Donald Trump's journey to London on Tuesday, his Boeing 747 Air Force One experienced an uncomfortably close proximity with a Spirit Airlines passenger aircraft while navigating the busy airspace over New York.
The incident involved Spirit Flight 1300, an Airbus A321 traveling from Fort Lauderdale to Boston. As both aircraft were flying above Long Island, an air traffic controller observed their converging flight paths at similar altitudes. The controller promptly attempted to direct the Spirit crew to alter their course.
Although the planes maintained a safe distance and never violated safety parameters, the incident gained traction across social media platforms, partly due to the prominence of the presidential aircraft and the increasingly frustrated radio communications from the New York controller.
President Trump landed in London Tuesday evening for an official state visit, which included a scheduled meeting with King Charles at Windsor Castle and anticipated announcements of substantial technology infrastructure investments in the UK by American companies.
The aerial encounter was initially shared by the @JonNYC account on Bluesky, while the audio recording was later posted by @thenewarea51 on X. Bloomberg News could not independently confirm the authenticity of the air traffic control audio.
"Pay attention, Spirit 1300, turn 20 degrees right," the controller repeated after receiving no response to his first instruction. "Spirit 1300, turn 20 degrees RIGHT NOW."
With escalating urgency in his voice, the controller then ordered: "Spirit Wings 1300 turn 20 degrees RIGHT. IMMEDIATELY."
The Spirit pilots eventually acknowledged and complied with the routing change.
"Spirit 1300, traffic's off your left wing by 6 miles, or 8 miles. 747. I'm sure you can see who it is," remarked the controller, referencing the distinctive blue Air Force One. "I'll keep an eye out for him, he's white and blue."
The New York controller concluded with a stern rebuke to the Spirit crew: "Pay attention! Get off the iPad!"