Ryanair's outspoken chief executive Michael O'Leary has declared that tech billionaire Elon Musk is welcome to insult him "all day, every day" if it continues to drive a significant uplift in bookings for the budget airline. The remarks follow a very public spat between the two business figures on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, which has unexpectedly translated into commercial success for the carrier.
A Public Feud Fuels Flight Sales
The controversy ignited when O'Leary publicly dismissed the feasibility of using Musk's Starlink satellite internet system to provide wifi on Ryanair's short-haul flights across Europe. In response, Musk took to his platform to label the Ryanair boss an "idiot" and a "chimp," even pondering aloud whether he should purchase the airline himself.
Rather than taking offence, O'Leary has embraced the conflict. At a press conference held in Dublin, he framed the exchange as a tremendous marketing opportunity. "All I would say to Elon Musk is he would have to join the back of a very, very, very, very long queue of people who already think I'm a retarded twat, including my four teenage children," O'Leary stated with characteristic bluntness.
Quantifying the Controversy's Impact
The Ryanair CEO provided concrete figures to underscore his point, revealing that the "PR spat" has directly driven a notable 2-3% increase in the airline's sales over the preceding five days. He expressed clear delight at the outcome, viewing the online drama as free advertising that boosts brand awareness throughout the continent.
"If he wants to call me an idiot, he wouldn't be the first, and he certainly won't be the last to call me an idiot or a retarded twat," O'Leary continued. "But if it helps to boost Ryanair sales, you could insult me all day, every day. I welcome the accusation that I'm a chimp, it's somewhat unfair on the chimp community, but chimp, chump, as long as it increases Ryanair bookings through January, February and March, it's all good fun and entertainment."
The Practical Starlink Impasse
Behind the headline-grabbing insults lies a genuine business and technical disagreement. O'Leary explained that Ryanair has been in discussions with Starlink for approximately twelve months regarding the potential installation of its satellite internet on aircraft. While he praised Starlink as a "terrific" technological system, he outlined significant financial and practical barriers.
The primary issue, according to O'Leary, is the aerodynamic penalty known as fuel drag. Installing the necessary aerials on Ryanair's fleet would create this drag, incurring an estimated cost of between 100 and 200 million euros. Furthermore, the airline's commercial assessment diverges sharply from Starlink's projections on passenger uptake.
"Starlink insist 90% of passengers would pay for wifi, Ryanair estimate that less than 10% would pay for the cost – of two euro or three dollars," O'Leary detailed. He concluded that the model only becomes viable if the service is provided free of charge, a prospect the low-cost carrier is unwilling to fund given the substantial installation costs.
A Ticket of Thanks and Future Fun
In a final, theatrical gesture acknowledging the bizarre boost in publicity, O'Leary announced that a Ryanair ticket would be delivered to X's offices in Dublin as a token of thanks to Musk. He reiterated that as long as such public disputes do not involve aircraft safety—a line Ryanair vows never to cross—they serve as excellent tools for driving bookings.
"I'm sure it does wonders for Elon Musk and his X, or whatever subscribers he has on X as well, to be fighting with somebody," O'Leary mused. "But as long as it doesn't involve safety, and we've never compromised on safety, any of these spats are great for bookings and great for awareness all over Europe." The episode underscores how modern corporate rivalries, played out on social media, can have unexpectedly positive impacts on the bottom line.
