Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary embraces his ongoing public dispute with Elon Musk

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary's Public Dispute with Elon Musk Boosts Ticket Sales

Ryanair's chief executive, Michael O’Leary, has revealed that his ongoing clash with tech mogul Elon Musk has led to a surge in bookings for the airline. O’Leary, who leads Europe’s largest carrier, Ryanair, spoke about the positive impact of the feud during a press event in Dublin, noting the success of their recent “Big Idiot Seat Sale.”

“We thrive on these publicity battles that drive more customers to Ryanair,” O’Leary commented, even joking that Musk would be offered a complimentary ticket.

The disagreement began when O’Leary announced on January 14 that Ryanair would not be installing Starlink satellite Wi-Fi, a product of Musk’s SpaceX, on its aircraft. He cited concerns about increased drag and the resulting higher fuel expenses as reasons for the decision.

In response, Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to claim that O’Leary was “misinformed,” suggesting that any difference in fuel consumption would be negligible. Musk went further, publicly insulting O’Leary with derogatory remarks.

O’Leary, known for his outspoken nature and knack for generating media attention, fired back in an interview with Irish radio, dismissing Musk’s expertise on aviation and calling him “an idiot—albeit a very rich one.”

SpaceX, founded by Musk, is recognized for its work in rocket manufacturing and space transportation. Both Ryanair and SpaceX have been approached for comments regarding the dispute.

O’Leary stated he was unfazed by Musk’s insults, joking that as a parent of teenagers, such language was nothing new to him.

Why Ryanair Rejected Starlink

O’Leary elaborated on the airline’s decision to forgo Starlink internet, despite its adoption by other carriers. He acknowledged the system’s quality but emphasized the financial burden: installing the necessary antennas on Ryanair’s 643 planes would cost an estimated $200-250 million annually, factoring in both installation and increased fuel consumption.

He also argued that the airline could not recoup these expenses by charging passengers for internet access. While Starlink claims that about 90% of travelers are willing to pay for onboard Wi-Fi, Ryanair’s data suggests fewer than 10% would actually do so.

O’Leary expressed surprise that the issue had escalated into a public spat, which even prompted Musk to joke about acquiring Ryanair.

Musk’s Comments on Buying Ryanair

On social media, Musk mused about purchasing the airline and appointing someone named Ryan as its head. He also questioned how much it would cost to buy out O’Leary.

O’Leary responded by pointing out that non-EU citizens are not permitted to hold a majority stake in European airlines, but welcomed the idea of Musk investing in Ryanair. He quipped that such an investment would likely outperform Musk’s returns from X, and thanked Musk for the extra publicity.