Irish ultra-low-cost carrier Ryanair this week said it will not equip its aircraft with Starlink satellite internet.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary told Reuters that drag created by Starlink antennas imposes a “2% fuel penalty.” He also cited the comparatively short duration of a typical Ryanair flight.
“We don’t think our passengers are willing to pay for WiFi for an average one-hour flight,” he said.
O’Leary’s statement came the same day Ryanair competitor Lufthansa Group announced plans to install Starlink across its mainline and subsidiary fleets. The company expects to start installations later this year.
A number of airlines have signed deals with Starlink for satellite-based internet service over the last two years, including United, Alaska Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Air France. Lufthansa Group is so far the largest airline group in Europe to announce plans to upgrade its fleet with the technology.
Ryanair is the largest airline in Europe based on passenger volume and fleet size. It operates almost entirely within Europe, though it also serves destinations in North Africa, Turkey, Cyprus, and Jordan.
