Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk traded barbs this week after the airline boss passed on using Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Musk’s SpaceX.
O’Leary told Reuters on Wednesday that Ryanair would not use Starlink because its antennas increase drag on aircraft. He also doubted that passengers would pay for the service, considering the budget airline’s average flight is about one hour long.
Musk weighed in on social media site X, which he owns, and said Ryanair risked losing customers to carriers that do provide internet access.
O’Leary, known for his blunt critiques, answered back in an interview with Irish radio station Newstalk.
“What Elon Musk knows about flight and drag would be zero,” he said. “We have to put an aerial antenna on top of the aircraft. It would cost us about $200, $250 million a year. In other words, about an extra dollar for every passenger we fly. And the reality for us is, we can’t afford those costs.”
“I would pay no attention whatsoever to Elon Musk,” O’Leary continued. “He’s an idiot. Very wealthy, but he’s still an idiot.”
Musk replied on social media on Friday.
“Ryanair CEO is an utter idiot,” he wrote. “Fire him.”
A number of airlines, including Ryanair competitor Lufthansa Group, have signed on to use Starlink WiFi, which is faster and more reliable than most existing forms of onboard wireless internet. The technology allows passengers to stream content, make video calls, and work much as they would at home.
Other users or soon-to-be users include United, Alaska Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Air France.
