Ryanair Escalates Feud with Elon Musk Over Starlink

The public feud between Ryanair and Elon Musk has escalated into a full-blown marketing spectacle. What began as a technical dispute over in-flight WiFi has transformed into a public relations war, with Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary leveraging the conflict to drive bookings.

In a bold move during a Wednesday press conference, O'Leary announced that the airline would hand-deliver a free ticket to the X headquarters in Dublin. This gesture marks a new level in the ongoing quarrel, which has seen both billionaires trade insults over the past week.

Ryanair has wasted no time monetizing the controversy. The airline officially launched a "Big 'Idiot' Sale", offering 100,000 tickets at a starting price of £16.99 (approximately $23). The sale name is a direct nod to the insults traded between O'Leary and Musk, who have both publicly called each other "idiots" during the dispute.

O'Leary openly admitted that the publicity stunt is designed to boost revenue during the winter months. "I've included myself and him in this 'Big Idiot' seat sale," O'Leary stated, referencing an advertisement that depicts the two men brawling.

"I suspect he's a bigger idiot than me, but nevertheless, he probably thinks I'm a bigger idiot than him."

The Ryanair boss emphasized that the conflict is purely entertainment that benefits the airline's bottom line.

The root of the conflict lies in Starlink in-flight WiFi. O'Leary initially stated that Ryanair would not join other airlines in installing the system. His reasoning was based on cost and aerodynamics; he claimed adding the necessary terminals would increase fuel costs by 2%, totaling up to $250 million for the airline.

A SpaceX executive quickly countered this claim on X, stating the actual fuel impact was closer to 0.2%. Despite the disagreement on numbers, O'Leary remains firm on his budget-focused approach. As a short-haul, low-cost carrier, Ryanair prioritizes keeping airfares low by minimizing operational costs.

• Low turnaround times at airports
• Selling extras like scratchcards
• Strict focus on short-haul routes

However, O'Leary did offer a concession, calling Starlink a "terrific system" while maintaining that any adoption must lower costs rather than increase them.

Elon Musk has not remained silent during the exchange. After O'Leary's initial comments, Musk posted a poll on X asking his followers if he should buy Ryanair and install a CEO named "Ryan." The poll garnered significant attention, with roughly 950,000 voters participating.

The results were decisive, with about three-quarters of respondents voting in favor of the hypothetical acquisition. However, such a move would face significant regulatory hurdles. European Union regulations mandate that airlines operating within the bloc must be at least 50% owned by EU nationals, making a direct takeover by the American billionaire legally impossible.

Musk also escalated the personal insults, comparing O'Leary to a chimpanzee. O'Leary responded with characteristic wit, noting the comparison was "somewhat unfair on the chimp community."

For Michael O'Leary, provocation is a proven strategy. The Ryanair CEO has long been known for making provocative statements to generate headlines and promote the airline. He views the current feud as a continuation of this successful tactic.

"It is very good for our bookings," O'Leary said of the spat. "We love these PR spats that drive bookings on Ryanair." He specifically noted that the increased attention helps fill seats through January, February, and March.

Despite the public insults and the refusal to adopt Starlink immediately, Ryanair is not closing the door on future partnerships. O'Leary confirmed that the airline is continuing discussions with Starlink and other providers, including Amazon. The condition for adoption remains clear: it must be implemented in a way that lowers costs, not increases them.

"If it results in a fuel drag, it is something we would never go near."

The feud between Ryanair and Elon Musk highlights the intersection of aviation economics and social media warfare. While the technical debate over Starlink's fuel efficiency remains unresolved, the marketing value of the conflict is already paying dividends for the budget airline.

As the "Big Idiot" sale continues, both men have solidified their reputations as the world's most outspoken business leaders. For now, Ryanair passengers can expect lower fares, while the war of words continues to generate free advertising for the airline.

Key takeaways from this development include:

• Public feuds can be effectively leveraged for sales campaigns.
• Technical disputes in aviation often involve complex cost-benefit analyses.
• Regulatory frameworks in the EU protect airlines from foreign takeovers.