Trump mid-air scare? Air Force One has close encounter with Spirit air plane during London visit

A Spirit Airlines flight triggered urgent alerts from New York air traffic controllers after flying closer than usual to Air Force One as President Trump traveled to London on September 16. Controllers repeatedly ordered Spirit Flight 1300 to turn “20 degrees right—immediately,” warning the pilots of the “white and blue” jumbo jet six to eight miles away.

Growing frustrated, one controller shouted, “Pay attention! Get off the iPad!”—an exchange that quickly went viral. Ultimately, the two jets never violated FAA-mandated safety separation, and Spirit Airlines confirmed the aircraft followed all procedures and ATC instructions, later landing safely in Boston.

The incident highlighted the challenges of monitoring high-profile flights through America’s busiest skies as Trump became the first US president invited for a second UK state visit.