Ryanair CEO and Elon Musk Clash Over Starlink Wi-Fi

Cost, Drag, and the Low-Cost Airline Model

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has publicly ruled out adopting Starlink, citing cost and aircraft performance concerns. O’Leary said ” Starlink’s antenna would increase drag and fuel burn across Ryanair’s fleet.” He estimated annual costs could reach $200–250 million, adding roughly one dollar per passenger.

For an airline built on ultra-low fares and short-haul flights, O’Leary argued the economics simply do not work. He also questioned whether passengers would pay for onboard internet on flights averaging just one hour.

Musk Fires Back as Connectivity Becomes Competitive

The comments triggered a sharp response from Elon Musk, who took to X to criticise Ryanair’s position. Musk warned that airlines refusing inflight connectivity risk losing customers to better-equipped competitors.

The exchange escalated after O’Leary dismissed Musk’s aviation knowledge and criticised X itself. Musk responded by calling O’Leary “an utter idiot and suggesting he should be fired.”

Airlines Take Different Approaches to Starlink

While Ryanair remains unconvinced, several global carriers are embracing Starlink as a premium differentiator. Groups such as Lufthansa Group, Qatar Airways, and United Airlines have committed to rolling out the service.

Starlink offers high-speed connectivity capable of streaming, video calls, and real-time work. Industry analysts view it as best suited to long-haul and full-service airlines rather than ultra-low-cost models.

The dispute highlights a growing divide between cost leadership and connectivity expectations. As inflight internet becomes standard elsewhere, Ryanair is betting passengers still prioritise price over Wi-Fi.