Overview

• Over Long Island on Sept. 16, controllers ordered Spirit Flight 1300 to turn 20 degrees right as its path and altitude converged with the presidential 747 bound for London.
• The New York Center controller repeated the command several times and admonished the crew with “Pay attention” and “Get off the iPad,” according to LiveATC audio.
• Flight-tracking data showed roughly parallel tracks about 8–11 miles apart at approximately 32,000–33,000 feet before the Spirit jet altered course.
• Spirit Airlines said the crew followed instructions and the flight landed uneventfully in Boston, while Air Force One continued to the U.K. without incident.
• The exchange was first flagged on social media and amplified with LiveATC recordings and tracking data, drawing broad attention to the interaction.