Gary Zhou 
Key Takeaways
- Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary fires back at Elon Musk’s Starlink WiFi criticism, noting ongoing feud over weeks.
- O’Leary disputes Starlink’s claim: only <10% of Ryanair passengers would pay for WiFi vs. claimed 90%.
- O’Leary shrugs off Musk’s “retar*ed twat” insult, saying he’s at the back of a long queue including his kids.
- Thanks Musk for free publicity, with Ryanair bookings up 2-3% in recent days.
- Invites Musk to invest in Ryanair as a good opportunity, despite EU ownership rules barring majority non-EU control.
- O’Leary calls Musk’s X platform a “cesspit” but notes Ryanair’s active, humorous presence there.
- Public spat benefits Ryanair and seen as lighthearted hilarity likely to fizzle out soon.
Imagine two of the most outspoken tycoons in business—Elon Musk, the Tesla and SpaceX visionary, and Michael O’Leary, the brash king of Europe’s budget airline scene—trading insults like schoolyard rivals. What started as a disagreement over satellite WiFi has escalated into a public spectacle, complete with jabs about idiocy, takeover threats, and even a cheeky “Big Idiots” seat sale. As a seasoned aviation and tech blogger with over a decade covering low-cost carriers and disruptive innovations like Starlink, I’ll break down this feud, analyze the real issues at play, and share insights on what it means for airlines, passengers, and investors.
This isn’t just entertaining drama; it’s a window into the clash between hyper-growth tech ambitions and the ruthless economics of short-haul flying. Buckle up as we dive deep.
The Spark: Ryanair Rejects Starlink WiFi
The feud ignited last week when Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost airline, firmly ruled out installing Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet on its fleet of over 600 Boeing 737s. ❶ ❷ CEO Michael O’Leary cited two killer reasons during a press briefing:
- Fuel Drag and Extra Costs: Starlink antennas add about 35kg per aircraft, leading to a 1-2% increase in fuel burn. For Ryanair, where fuel is 30-40% of operating costs, that’s a non-starter on short-haul routes averaging just 1 hour 15 minutes. ❸ ❹
- Passenger Demand Mismatch: Starlink claims 90% of passengers would pay for WiFi, but O’Leary’s experience pegs it at under 10%. “Our passengers aren’t checking emails on a 1-hour hop,” he quipped, emphasizing Ryanair’s no-frills model. ❺ ❻
Ryanair isn’t alone in skepticism— they’ve talked to other providers like Amazon but passed on all WiFi options for now. ❼
Musk’s Fiery Response: Insults and Takeover Tease
Elon Musk, never one to back down, unleashed on X (formerly Twitter), calling O’Leary an “utter idiot,” “imbecile,” and even a “retar*ed twat.” He polled followers: “Should I buy Ryanair?”—with many cheering yes—and joked about ousting O’Leary for someone named “Ryan.” ❽ ❾
This isn’t Musk’s first airline jab; Starlink is already powering WiFi on Hawaiian Airlines, JSX, and others, proving its viability for long-haul or premium routes. ❷ Musk argues the tech is low-drag, high-speed (up to 220Mbps), and free for airlines initially, with revenue from passengers.
Key Insults Timeline
Here’s how the barbs flew:
- O’Leary (Jan 14): No Starlink due to costs. ❶
- Musk: “Ryanair CEO is an idiot.” ❽
- O’Leary: Shrugs it off—”back of a long queue, including my kids”—and thanks Musk for 2-3% booking boost. ❿
- Musk: Floats buying Ryanair. ⓫
- O’Leary: “He’s wrong… but invest? Great idea!” Calls X a “cesspit.” ⓬
The Business Reality: Why WiFi Doesn’t Fit Ryanair’s Model
As an expert who’s analyzed dozens of LCC (low-cost carrier) balance sheets, Ryanair’s stance makes sense:
- Short-Haul Economics:FactorImpact on RyanairAvg Flight Time1h15m – too short for paid WiFi ROI ⓭Fuel Sensitivity2% burn hike = millions in annual costsLoad Factor95%+; no room for extras
- WiFi Stats Across Airlines:
- Premium carriers (e.g., Delta): 20-30% uptake.
- Budget peers (easyJet): <5% on short routes.
- Ryanair’s data: Likely 5-10%, per O’Leary. ❼
Insight: Starlink shines on transoceanic flights (e.g., United’s trials), but for Europe’s point-to-point hops, it’s overkill. Airlines like Southwest or AirAsia have ditched WiFi for similar reasons.
Opinion: O’Leary’s right here—Musk underestimates LCC DNA. Free WiFi could erode Ryanair’s €5-10 fares, inviting abuse (streaming marathons).
Takeover Talk: EU Rules Block Musk
Musk’s buyout quip? Dead on arrival. EU regs require >50% ownership by EU nationals/entities for air carriers. ⓮ ⓯ Non-EU max: ~49.9% (Ryanair recently eased share restrictions post-Brexit). ⓰
O’Leary welcomed minority investment: “Better than his X returns.” ⓱ Ryanair’s market cap (~€25B) makes it a hefty bet amid Tesla/SpaceX demands.
Advice for Investors: Ryanair stock (RYAAY) could pop on publicity—watch for sustained booking lifts.
The Unexpected Winner: Free Publicity Goldmine
Far from damage, the spat boosted Ryanair:
- Bookings Surge: Up 2-3% last few days, per O’Leary. ⓲
- Viral Marketing: “1M seats at €0.99 for Big Idiots”—a direct troll selling out fast. ⓳ ⓴
- Social Buzz: Ryanair’s X account (humorous despite O’Leary’s shade) gained followers.
Pro Tip for Airlines: Feud with influencers? Lean in. Southwest’s viral tweets or Virgin’s Branson stunts prove controversy converts to cash.
Broader Implications: The Future of Inflight Connectivity
- Starlink’s Path Forward: Targets long-haul (Qantas, Air France deals incoming?). Low-Earth orbit beats geostationary for latency.
- LCC Evolution: Free ad-supported WiFi? Possible, but Ryanair prioritizes ancillary revenue (bags, seats).
- Passenger Angle: Budget flyers value cheap fares over Netflix at 30,000ft—surveys confirm. ❷
My Prediction: Feud fizzles, but expect Ryanair WiFi trials in 5-10 years as costs drop. Musk wins tech adoption elsewhere; O’Leary safeguards profits.
Final Thoughts: Lighthearted Lessons from Heavy Hitters
This Musk-O’Leary showdown is peak 2026 entertainment—proving bold leaders drive buzz. Ryanair emerges stronger, Starlink gets exposure, and we get cheaper flights. For airlines: Stick to your knitting. For tech disruptors: Pick battles wisely.
