The controller became increasingly frustrated with the Spirit pilots when, after repeatedly conveying orders to turn, the aircraft failed to respond to the instructions, according to audio of the encounter. The recording was first posted by the account @thenewarea51 on X, which credited the account @xJonNYC for the tip.

"Spirit 1300, turn 20 degrees right. ... Pay attention. Spirit 1300, turn 20 degrees right," the New York-based controller said, their voice rising when the pilots failed to acknowledge the transmission.

"Spirit 1300, turn 20 degrees right, now. Spirit wings 1300, turn 20 degrees right, immediately," the controller continued, now clearly irritated by the delay.

Bloomberg was the first to report the exchange.

The back-and-forth between air traffic control and the Spirit pilots quickly drew attention on social media, with users finding the reprimands -- and involvement of Air Force One -- concerning.

A preliminary probe of the incident shows the aircraft, traveling many miles apart, were not at risk of colliding, a source with direct knowledge of the situation told NBC News.

After a few moments passed, the Spirit pilots addressed the command and made the necessary course adjustments. They were again warned by controllers to "pay attention."

"Spirit 1300, traffic's off your left wing by six miles or eight miles. 747. I'm sure you can see who it is," said air traffic control, referencing Air Force One. "I'll keep an eye out for him. He's white and blue."

Exasperated, the controller got one last word in.

"I got to talk to you twice every time. Pay attention," they said. "Get off the iPad."

In 2011, the Federal Aviation Administration cleared the way for airlines to use iPads, rather than the traditional hefty paper flight manuals.

Both planes landed safely.

A Spirit spokesperson said in a statement Wednesday "flight 1300 (FLL-BOS) followed procedures and Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions while en route to Boston (BOS) and landed uneventfully at BOS."

"Safety is always our top priority," the spokesperson said.

'Get off the iPad': Air traffic control slams Boston-bound flight for close Air Force One encounter - The Boston Globe