Elon Musk and Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary Trade Barbs in Escalating Starlink Wi-Fi Dispute

A public feud between Elon Musk and Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has intensified, turning a disagreement over in-flight Wi-Fi into a high-profile war of words. The clash erupted after O’Leary categorically ruled out installing SpaceX’s Starlink internet service across Ryanair’s fleet, prompting a sharp and personal response from Musk.

On Friday, Musk took to his social media platform X to call the Ryanair chief an “utter idiot,” adding that O’Leary should be fired. The remark followed earlier comments from O’Leary, who dismissed Starlink as impractical for Europe’s largest low-cost airline.

Speaking earlier in the week, O’Leary said equipping Ryanair’s more than 600 aircraft with Starlink antennas would increase fuel consumption due to aerodynamic drag. He estimated the service could cost the airline up to $250 million annually, making it incompatible with Ryanair’s ultra-low-cost operating model.

Musk quickly pushed back, claiming O’Leary was “misinformed” and arguing that Ryanair did not properly understand how to measure the fuel impact of Starlink equipment. The exchange escalated further when O’Leary appeared on Irish radio station Newstalk, where he accused Musk of knowing “zero” about aviation and drag, called him an “idiot,” and described X as a “cesspit.”

Musk responded shortly after, doubling down on his criticism. “Ryanair CEO is an utter idiot. Fire him,” he posted on X. When a follower suggested Musk should buy Ryanair and dismiss O’Leary himself, Musk replied: “Good idea.”

The dispute comes as airlines increasingly look to upgrade in-flight connectivity, an area where Starlink has gained significant traction. Operated by Musk’s SpaceX, the satellite-based network uses thousands of low-Earth orbit satellites to deliver faster and more reliable internet at altitude. More than two dozen airlines, including United Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Lufthansa, are already rolling out Starlink across their fleets.

While financial terms of airline deals have not been publicly disclosed, analysts generally view Starlink as a premium product, best suited to long-haul and full-service carriers rather than short-haul, cost-sensitive operators like Ryanair.

As the aviation industry weighs performance, passenger expectations, and rising operational costs, the Musk–O’Leary spat underscores a broader debate about whether cutting-edge connectivity justifies its price and impact. For now, Ryanair appears firmly grounded in its low-cost philosophy, while Musk continues to push Starlink as the future of in-flight Wi-Fi — even if not everyone is on board.