Spirit Airlines pilot scolded by ATC for flying close to Trump’s Air Force One

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A Spirit Airlines flight bound for Boston was warned by air traffic control (ATC) after coming close to President Donald Trump's Air Force One on Tuesday, September 16, in the skies over New York.

The conversation between ATC and the Spirit Airlines aircraft was captured by LiveATC.net and soon went viral across social media.

ATC tells Spirit Airlines pilot to 'pay attention'

In the conversation that has gone viral, an air traffic controller could be heard over the radio asking the plane several times to change course.

"Spirit 1300, turn 20 degrees right now. Pay attention. Spirit 1300, traffic's off your left wing by six, eight miles 747. I'm sure you can see who it is," the air traffic controller said.

The other plane was Air Force One, which was carrying the POTUS to London. The Spirit flight, which had departed from Fort Lauderdale, was seven miles from Air Force One. Meanwhile, the airline said in a statement, "Spirit Airlines flight 1300 (FLL-BOS) followed procedures and Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions while en route to Boston (BOS) and landed uneventfully at BOS. Safety is always our top priority."

The POTUS and first lady Melania Trump landed at London Stansted Airport in the UK on Tuesday and took a Marine One helicopter to central London, the BBC reported.

Trump is scheduled to meet with King Charles III at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, September 17, before meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers the following day.

Internet reacts as Spirit Airlines gets closer to Trump's Air Force One

Several internet users shared their reactions after a Spirit Airlines flight was warned by ATC for getting close to Trump’s Air Force One in the skies over New York.

An online comment read, "This is either really funny or really scary," while another added, "Even the pilots on Spirit are budget."   

One person wrote on X, "@SpiritAirlines is the Greyhound bus of the skies," while another remarked, "It’s Spirit… the fact it was even in the air should have been the headline."

A user also wrote on X, "Certainly dont wanna get distracted around AF1," while another commented, "Trump walks between the raindrops—I'm convinced of it."

Another X user said, "Aviation comedy gold! That 'GET OFF THE IPAD!' ATC call is priceless. Always love moments when cockpit tech meets quick-witted controllers."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.