Elon Musk, Ryanair CEO Clash Over Starlink Installation in Budget Airline Fleet

Elon Musk and Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary are embroiled in a public dispute over the potential installation of SpaceX’s Starlink internet on Ryanair’s 600+ aircraft, highlighting tensions between satellite connectivity and low-cost airline economics. O’Leary rejected Starlink, citing a 2% fuel penalty from added drag and weight, estimating $200 million to $250 million in annual costs. He argued most passengers on short-haul flights won’t pay for Wi-Fi. Musk countered that drag is negligible during ascent and accused O’Leary of misunderstanding aerodynamics, calling him “a retarded twat” on X. O’Leary dismissed Musk’s aviation expertise and noted EU ownership rules bar non-EU citizens from controlling European airlines. Ryanair capitalized on the feud with a “Big Idiot” fare promotion, reportedly boosting bookings. While Musk joked about buying the airline and appointing a “Ryan,” prediction markets give it just a 4% chance by April. O’Leary left a narrow opening: Starlink could be installed if SpaceX covers all costs and provides free service.