Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has openly labeled Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk an 'idiot'. This sharp criticism follows Europe's largest airline service denying rumors about installing Musk's Starlink satellite internet on its aircraft.
O'Leary's Blunt Remarks on Radio Interview
During an interview on the Newstalk radio show, O'Leary did not hold back. He stated, "I would pay no attention whatsoever to Elon Musk. He's an idiot, very wealthy, but he's still an idiot." This comment came after Ryanair officially ruled out adopting Starlink internet for its flights.
Why Ryanair Rejected Starlink Internet
Ryanair recently explained its decision to reject Starlink. The airline cited increased fuel costs as the primary reason. Adding an antenna to the fuselage creates drag, leading to a 2% fuel penalty. O'Leary emphasized this point in a statement to Reuters.
He said, "You need to put an antenna on the fuselage; it comes with a 2% fuel penalty because of the weight and drag. We don't think our passengers are willing to pay for WiFi for an average 1-hour flight."
Elon Musk's Response on X
O'Leary's comments quickly ignited a debate on the microblogging platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Elon Musk responded directly to the criticism. He posted, "They [Ryanair] will lose customers to airlines that do have internet."
O'Leary Fires Back at Musk
The Ryanair CEO did not hesitate to reply to Musk's post. O'Leary argued, "What Elon Musk knows about flights and drag would be zero. We have to put an aerial antenna on top of the aircraft. It would cost us about $200-$250 million a year."
He elaborated further, stating, "In other words, an extra dollar for every passenger we fly. And the reality for us is we can't afford those costs. Passengers won't pay for internet or internet usage. If it's free, they'll use it. But they won't pay one euro each to use the internet. So, we're not putting it on board."
O'Leary also took a swipe at Musk's platform, calling X a "cesspit". He added, "And I frankly wouldn't pay any attention to anything that Elon Musk puts on that cesspit of his called X. He was the guy who advocated getting Donald Trump elected."
O'Leary's Stance on Social Media
Explaining why he avoids social media sites like X, O'Leary said, "No, I would not waste... I don't have any social media accounts. Thankfully, I am too old to get involved in the cesspit that is social media."
Starlink's Growing Popularity Among Airlines
Despite Ryanair's rejection, Musk's satellite internet provider is gaining traction with other airlines. Lufthansa, Europe's second-largest airline group, announced plans to introduce Starlink service earlier this week. Scandinavian Airlines followed suit, operating its first Starlink-enabled flight the next day.
However, Ryanair operates as a budget airline, known for its basic, low-cost offerings. This business model contrasts sharply with carriers adopting Starlink.
Ryanair's Business Model and Fleet
Ryanair and its subsidiaries manage a fleet of 643 airplanes. Last year, they handled 206 million passengers. Statistics from 2024 show Ryanair as the world's third-largest airline group, trailing only American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
The Irish airline's low-cost approach allows it to offer tickets as low as 15 euros, approximately $17.40. It focuses on quick turnarounds between flights and charges for extras like preferred seating and on-board sales, including scratchcards and duty-free cigarettes.
Free In-Flight Internet Trend
Every airline that has announced Starlink deals so far includes free in-flight internet for all passengers. This trend makes it unlikely that Musk's company would permit Ryanair to charge passengers for Starlink use, even if O'Leary reconsidered.
Technical Dispute Over Fuel Efficiency
Michael Nicolls, Vice President of Starlink engineering, entered the fray on X. He claimed Starlink terminals have a more fuel-efficient profile than other airplane internet providers. Nicolls cited SpaceX analysis showing a Starlink terminal increases fuel costs by only 0.3% on a Boeing 737-800, the model comprising most of Ryanair's fleet.
Musk replied to Nicolls, saying, "Hmm, must be a way to get that down under 0.1%." This exchange highlights the ongoing technical debate over Starlink's impact on fuel consumption.
Ryanair's Firm Position Amid Industry Trends
While US budget airlines have shifted toward premium options under financial pressure, Ryanair sees little reason to change. Adding an amenity like Starlink would clash with its cost-focused business model, especially if offered free to passengers.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, more American travelers have opted to pay extra for luxurious flights. Budget airlines in the US have struggled to compete on price with traditional carriers. In Europe, however, Ryanair has successfully balanced a basic approach with financial prosperity.
The clash between O'Leary and Musk underscores broader tensions in the aviation industry over technology adoption and cost management. As airlines weigh the benefits of in-flight connectivity against operational expenses, this debate is likely to continue.
