'Pay attention' - Spirit aircraft warned as it gets too close to Air Force One

September 17, 2025

A Spirit Airlines flight received urgent warnings from air traffic controllers after flying parallel to Air Force One during President Trump's journey to the UK. The aircraft were eight miles apart, which didn't violate FAA safety regulations but raised sufficient concern for controllers to repeatedly instruct the Spirit pilots to turn away and "pay attention. " Spirit Airlines confirmed that Flight 1300 followed proper procedures and landed safely in Boston as scheduled, while the FAA's preliminary investigation verified that required separation between the aircraft was maintained throughout the incident.

Who is affected

Spirit Airlines Flight 1300 passengers and crew
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on Air Force One
Air traffic controllers monitoring the flight paths

What action is being taken

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is conducting a preliminary investigation into the incident
Air traffic controllers were actively directing the Spirit flight to maintain proper separation
Spirit Airlines is confirming that their flight followed procedures and Air Traffic Control instructions

Why it matters

The incident relates to the safety of the U.S. President's official aircraft during international travel
Although required separation was maintained, the proximity was concerning enough to prompt repeated urgent instructions from air traffic control
The situation highlights the critical importance of pilot attention and prompt response to air traffic control directives, especially when near high-profile flights

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC