A Spirit flight was repeatedly ordered to turn away from Air Force One earlier this week, with an air traffic controller admonishing the pilot to “pay attention” and “get off the iPad.”
The incident took place Tuesday as President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump flew from the U.S. to the U.K. for a state visit. The Spirit flight was traveling from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Boston when it entered the same airspace as the president’s airplane over New York.
LiveATC captured an at times testy exchange between the air traffic controller and the pilot.
“Spirit 1300 turn 20 degrees right,” the air traffic controller said. “Pay attention, Spirit 1300 turn 20 degrees right. Spirit 1300 turn 20 degrees right now. Spirit wings 1300 turn 20 degrees right immediately.”
After the pilot acknowledged the order, the controller said, “Pay attention. Spirit 1300 traffic off your left wing by about six miles – or eight miles – 747. I’m sure you can see who it is. Keep an eye out for him. He’s white and blue.”
The controller then jabbed the pilot again.
“I got to talk to you twice every time?” he asked. “Pay attention. Get off the iPad.”
The FAA said in a statement that the Spirit flight and Air Force One maintained proper separation.
“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,” Spirit said in a statement. “Safety is always our top priority.”
