Fuel Drag or 'Idiot' Feud? Ryanair CEO Rejects Starlink Internet Upgrade

ByUjjwal Sukhwani•January 19, 2026 at 01:31 AM•3 min read

TECHNOLOGY Fuel Drag or 'Idiot' Feud? Ryanair CEO Rejects Starlink Internet Upgrade

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary rejected Starlink internet for his fleet, citing a 2% fuel drag cost and calling Elon Musk an "idiot" in a public row.

Key Points

1Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary rejected Starlink internet, citing a 2% fuel drag penalty on aircraft.
2O'Leary calculated the 2% drag would cost Ryanair up to $250 million annually, or an extra dollar per passenger.
3Starlink executives refuted the claim, stating their low-profile antenna causes only a 0.3% fuel burn increase on the Boeing 737-800.
4The core issue is Ryanair's low-cost carrier strategy, which prioritizes cost control over premium in-flight connectivity.

A public dispute has erupted between Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary and Elon Musk. The argument centers on the cost of installing Starlink internet on the low-cost carrier's fleet. O'Leary dismissed the satellite service as too expensive for the airline's model.

The Cost of Connectivity

Ryanair's chief executive cited major concerns over aircraft fuel consumption. He stated that adding the required Boeing aerial antenna would create significant aerodynamic drag. This drag would increase fuel burn by about two percent, according to O'Leary.

This increase is a huge financial burden. Ryanair's annual fuel bill is approximately $5 billion. A two percent penalty would cost the airline up to $250 million each year. O'Leary calculated this as an extra dollar per passenger flown. He concluded the airline cannot afford those costs.

The 'Idiot' Exchange

O'Leary called Musk "an idiot" during a radio interview. He also labeled Musk's social media platform X a "cesspit." Musk quickly fired back on X. He called the Ryanair CEO an "utter idiot" and an "imbecile". Musk later joked about buying the airline.

Starlink's Efficiency Defense

Musk and Starlink executives quickly refuted the two percent figure. Starlink Engineering Vice President Michael Nicolls provided a counter-analysis. He stated the low-profile Starlink terminal would only increase fuel burn by about 0.3% on a Boeing 737-800. Nicolls noted that the higher two percent figure applies to older, bulkier satellite systems. Musk suggested future designs could lower the drag even further.

Impact on Low-Cost Carrier Strategy

The dispute highlights a key difference in airline strategy. Starlink is a premium product for aviation connectivity. Many full-service carriers, including United Airlines and Qatar Airways, are adopting the service. However, Ryanair's low-cost carrier strategy focuses on maximum efficiency. The airline prioritizes low fares and quick turnarounds over in-flight Wi-Fi. The added weight and drag conflict with this core business model.

The cost of fuel drag is the primary factor for rejection.
Ryanair's short-haul model limits the value of premium Wi-Fi.
Starlink claims its low-profile antenna minimizes the airline operating costs impact.

Away from the aviation business, O'Leary remains focused on his other interests. His racing operation, Gigginstown House Stud, is preparing for the Cheltenham Festival. The Gordon Elliott-trained Ballyfad recently earned praise. Twelve-time champion jockey Ruby Walsh called the horse "really impressive" after a win at Leopardstown. This news provides a brief distraction from the high-profile aviation feud. More details on Starlink services are available online.

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