A public spat has erupted between tech billionaire Elon Musk and Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary, after the budget airline boss firmly dismissed plans to install Starlink internet across its fleet.
The Fuel Cost Dispute Ignites
The row began on Wednesday, 14th January, when O'Leary explained his decision to Reuters. He stated that fitting the necessary antenna to an aircraft's fuselage would increase both weight and drag, leading to what he estimated as a 'two per cent fuel penalty'. For an airline operating thousands of short-haul flights across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, this added cost was deemed prohibitive.
O'Leary further argued that Ryanair's passengers, primarily on one-hour flights, would be unlikely to pay an extra fee for Wi-Fi access. 'If it's free, they'll use it - but they won't pay one euro each to use the internet,' he told The Independent.
Musk's Sharp Rebuttal on X
The comments prompted a swift response from SpaceX's Starlink division. Michael Nicolls, Vice-President of Starlink Engineering, took to X to counter the fuel claim, writing that a 2 per cent impact 'might be true for legacy terminals, but Starlink's terminal is much lower profile and more efficient'.
Elon Musk then entered the fray directly. He called O'Leary 'misinformed' and warned that Ryanair would lose customers to rival airlines offering connectivity. In a subsequent post, Musk escalated the criticism, labelling the Ryanair CEO an 'utter idiot' and bluntly suggesting: 'Fire him.'
O'Leary Hits Back and Reveals Staggering Cost
Undeterred, Michael O'Leary responded the next day, 15th January, during an interview on Ireland's Newstalk radio. He put a precise figure on the annual expense, estimating that installing and operating Starlink would cost Ryanair between $200 million and $250 million every year.
'In other words, about an extra dollar for every passenger we fly, and the reality for us is we can't afford those costs,' O'Leary stated. He then returned fire at Musk, telling listeners: 'Pay no attention whatsoever to Elon Musk... He's an idiot. Very wealthy, but he's still an idiot.'
Contrast with Emirates' Major Rollout
The fiery exchange highlights a stark divide in the aviation industry's approach to in-flight connectivity. While Ryanair resists, other carriers are embracing the technology. Notably, Emirates has announced it is upgrading its entire fleet with ultra-fast Starlink Wi-Fi, set to be free for all passengers.
The first of its 232 Boeing 777s equipped with the service was scheduled for November, with installations continuing at a rate of 14 aircraft per month. From 23rd November 2025, Emirates passengers will be able to stream, video call, and browse in real-time at 40,000 feet.
This clash between two of the world's most outspoken business leaders underscores the complex balance between cutting-edge passenger amenities and the relentless cost-control demanded by the budget airline model.
