President Donald Trump’s journey to Britain for a historic state visit almost turned into an international incident when his Air Force One jet came dangerously close to a Spirit Airlines passenger plane over New York skies.
According to CBS and Bloomberg, the near-miss unfolded Tuesday as Air Force One carried Trump and First Lady Melania Trump toward London. Spirit Airlines Flight 1300, traveling from Fort Lauderdale to Boston, was on a converging path with the president’s Boeing 747 as both aircraft cruised near Long Island.
Air traffic control recordings, captured by the site liveatc.net and circulated widely on social media, reveal the tense exchange.
“Turn twenty degrees right now,” one frustrated controller can be heard yelling to the Spirit pilots, his voice escalating as warnings were ignored. “Traffic’s off your left wing by eight miles. I’m sure you can see who it is. He’s white and blue. Pay attention. Get off the iPad.”
The FAA has not confirmed what distracted the pilots, but the blunt command struck a nerve online, where aviation watchers speculated whether cockpit devices were being misused.
Spirit Airlines issued a carefully worded statement to the Daily Mail:
“Spirit Airlines flight 1300 (FLL-BOS) followed procedures and Air Traffic Control instructions while en route to Boston (BOS) and landed uneventfully at BOS. Safety is always our top priority.”
Data from FlightRadar24 shows the planes were never closer than about 11 miles — still well within the distance to prompt alarm given Air Force One’s high-security protocols.
Despite the scare, Air Force One touched down without incident at London Stansted Airport late Tuesday. The president and First Lady descended the jet’s iconic stairway, greeted by a lavish welcome marking Trump’s second state visit to the United Kingdom.
The reception will include what officials describe as the “largest military ceremonial welcome for a state visit in living memory.” King Charles will host the president at Windsor Castle with a carriage procession, military flypast, and a banquet designed to showcase Britain’s pomp and power.
While Prime Minister Keir Starmer hopes to use the visit to deepen economic ties, Trump’s presence has already ignited demonstrations. The “Stop the Trump Coalition” has organized protests in London, while more than 1,600 officers have been deployed to keep order.
Still, the trip has already delivered economic headlines. U.S. tech giants including Microsoft and Google pledged a combined $42 billion in UK investments to boost artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cloud computing.
“This is the largest-ever commitment Microsoft has made to Britain,” the company said, outlining plans to build the UK’s most powerful supercomputer. Google promised to create more than 8,000 jobs annually while Bank of America, BlackRock, Citi Group, PayPal, and S&P Global pledged billions more.
The two governments also unveiled a “Tech Prosperity Deal” covering nuclear and space technology. Energy giant Centrica and U.S. firm X-energy announced a plan to build up to 12 modular nuclear reactors in Teesside, potentially creating 2,500 jobs and powering 1.5 million homes.
As one senior UK official put it: “This visit isn’t just about pageantry. It’s about reshaping the future of our economic and security alliance.”
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What's Up Team
Nothing infuriating than listing to a persons conversation in certain places. Mostly at restaurants. Go through fast food or order out please. Do people really know there is actually a silence button that you can put on vibrate in places like this. As a responsible person I use respect for others on this matter. I just wished others did also. I have been in some businesses, Church, Dr. Office, hospital’s, and even funerals and weddings were phones where ringing during events. Those who have responsibilities to protect those in their care are disrespecting those in their care. I’m sorry but with all the threats to our President, why was that other plane allowed to even take off at same time. Wonder why people don’t fly anymore? I am just asking everyone to be more respectful of others. Is this to much to ask? What happened to behavior in society? You want my respect then you earn it. You get upset over my words then you have no respect for other’s period. Society expects certain actions out of all of us yet their are people who think everyone owes them respect when they don’t earn it. I owe no one and I earn respect by being respectful.
Sounds like Trump will be Making Britain Great Again… even if their foreign WOKE community regrets it… some Brits still remember when the sun never set on The British Empire… The UK Reception for Trump will be something to watch…
Not complicated turn the devices off!. I have worked for years doing residential lawn and pest control services customers expect full attention to details to the service contract, what I have learned some employees are engaged with their phone/devices during services and what exactly focusing ? a pilot consumed with his Social media is an extreme danger to life !.
too bad he didn’t smash into them.