An air traffic control (ATC) directive instructed a Spirit Airlines Airbus A321 to alter its course over Long Island yesterday. The commercial aircraft was operating a flight from Fort Lauderdale to Boston when it came within approximately 11 miles of Air Force One, which was transporting then-President Donald Trump to the United Kingdom.
Controllers issued increasingly urgent commands for the Spirit flight to turn right. While both aircraft maintained a safe distance, ATC communications highlighted frustrations regarding the situation.
Key Takeaways
- Spirit Airlines Flight NK1300 was directed to turn away from Air Force One over Long Island.
- The two aircraft were reported to be about 11 miles apart at their closest point.
- Air Force One was carrying then-President Donald Trump to the UK for a state visit.
- Air traffic controllers expressed frustration over the Spirit crew's response time.
- Despite the incident, safety guidelines were not breached, according to authorities.
The Encounter Over Long Island
Spirit Airlines flight NK1300 is a scheduled commercial service. It departs from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and lands at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). This route is one of two daily flights operated by Spirit between Florida and Massachusetts.
On the day of the incident, Flight NK1300 departed Fort Lauderdale at 08:10 local time. The aircraft, an Airbus A321, followed a coastal route north. However, as it flew over Long Island, air traffic control intervened.
CBS News reported that the Spirit jet and Air Force One were approximately 11 miles apart at their closest point. This proximity prompted ATC to issue immediate instructions to the Spirit crew.
Flight Details
- Spirit Airlines Flight: NK1300
- Aircraft: Airbus A321
- Route: Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Boston (BOS)
- Closest Proximity: 11 miles from Air Force One
Air Traffic Control Directives
Air traffic controllers communicated with the Spirit flight, instructing it to make a right turn. The tone of these communications reportedly became more urgent as the situation developed. A controller was heard to quip that the Spirit pilots should "get off the iPad," suggesting a perceived delay in response.
A Spirit spokesperson confirmed that safety is the airline's primary concern. They stated,
"Safety is always our top priority. Spirit Airlines flight 1300 followed procedures and Air Traffic Control instructions while en route to Boston and landed uneventfully."
Ultimately, the Spirit aircraft complied with the instructions. It successfully altered its course, ensuring a safe separation between the two planes. The incident did not result in any safety breach, according to official reports.
Air Force One's Mission
Air Force One, a modified Boeing VC-25A (a 747-200 variant), was carrying then-President Donald Trump. He was traveling to the United Kingdom for a state visit. The aircraft departed Joint Base Andrews at 09:57 local time.
Its destination was London Stansted Airport (STN). President Trump, his wife Melania, and their accompanying delegation arrived in London at 21:07 local time. The encounter with the Spirit Airlines flight occurred relatively early in Air Force One's transatlantic journey.
About Air Force One
Air Force One is the official air traffic control call sign for any United States Air Force aircraft carrying the President of the United States. The aircraft used for presidential transport are highly customized Boeing 747-200B series aircraft, designated VC-25A. These planes are equipped with advanced communication and defense systems.
Post-Incident Communication
After the Spirit jet successfully completed its maneuver, air traffic controllers issued a final message to the crew. Bloomberg reported that the crew was told to "pay attention [and] get off the iPad." This comment highlighted the controllers' earlier frustration regarding the perceived slow reaction from the cockpit.
Despite the urgent nature of the exchanges, both CBS and Bloomberg confirmed that established safety guidelines were not violated. While the aircraft came closer than ideal, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) did not classify the distance as unsafe.
Flight Data and Aftermath
Tracking data for Spirit Airlines flight NK1300 shows the prescribed turn occurred over Long Beach, just east of New York City. This maneuver happened as the aircraft began its descent from a cruising altitude of 37,000 feet.
The turn took place approximately 40 minutes before the flight's scheduled landing at Boston Logan International Airport. The aircraft landed safely at 11:03 local time, slightly ahead of its scheduled arrival of 11:13.
The Airbus A321-200 involved in the incident, registered as N687NK, is 7.5 years old, according to data from ch-aviation. After landing in Boston, the aircraft continued its operational schedule.
It completed three more flights on the same day. These included a return flight from Boston to Orlando International Airport (MCO) in Florida, followed by a round trip to Columbus (CMH) and back. Its next scheduled flight was NK2509 to Pittsburgh.
- Aircraft Registration: N687NK
- Aircraft Age: 7.5 years
- Landing Time (BOS): 11:03 local time (scheduled 11:13)
- Subsequent Flights: BOS-MCO, MCO-CMH, CMH-MCO
The incident underscores the importance of clear and timely communication between pilots and air traffic control, especially when high-profile flights like Air Force One are involved in the same airspace.
