Why Does Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary Reject Starlink Internet?

ByUjjwal Sukhwani•January 17, 2026 at 06:30 AM•2 min read

TECHNOLOGY Why Does Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary Reject Starlink Internet?

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary publicly dismissed Starlink internet for his fleet, citing fuel cost increases, leading to a heated exchange with Elon Musk.

Key Points

1Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary rejected Starlink, claiming the antenna causes a 2% fuel penalty and $250 million in annual costs.
2Starlink countered, stating its low-profile terminal only results in a 0.3% fuel burn increase on the Boeing 737-800 fleet.
3The disagreement highlights the operational challenge for ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs) where even small fuel increases impact low-fare ticket prices.
4Major European rivals, including the Lufthansa Group, are proceeding with Starlink installation across hundreds of aircraft.

The debate over commercial aviation connectivity has sparked a public feud. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary rejected Starlink internet service. This decision led to a heated exchange with Elon Musk on X (formerly Twitter). The core disagreement centers on the financial impact of the required antenna.

Ryanair's Cost-Driven Stance

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary dismissed the Starlink system. He cited the ultra-low-cost carrier’s (ULCC) business model. O'Leary argued that adding the antenna creates an aircraft drag penalty. This penalty would increase fuel burn by approximately 2%. The cost would be an extra $200 to $250 million annually. This cost would be passed to passengers. Ryanair's average flight is only about one hour long. O'Leary believes passengers will not pay for Wi-Fi on such short flights.

The Fuel Efficiency Discrepancy

Starlink officials quickly challenged O'Leary's figures. Michael Nicolls, Starlink’s VP of Engineering, offered a counter-analysis. He stated that a 2% fuel impact is true for older, bulkier satellite terminals. However, Starlink’s low-profile antenna is more efficient. Nicolls claimed their analysis shows only a 0.3% fuel increase on a Boeing 737-800. The Boeing 737-800 is Ryanair’s primary aircraft. Musk amplified this rebuttal, calling O'Leary “misinformed”. Musk even suggested engineers could reduce the impact to under 0.1%. O'Leary later called Musk an “idiot” in a radio interview. Musk responded by calling the CEO an “utter idiot”. He then suggested O’Leary should be fired.

Industry Adoption and ULCC Challenges

Ryanair’s decision highlights a key division in the aviation market. Many major global airlines are rapidly adopting Starlink satellite internet. This includes United Airlines, Qatar Airways, and the Lufthansa Group. The Lufthansa Group, a major European competitor, plans to equip around 850 aircraft starting in 2026. Many of these carriers offer the high-speed service free to passengers.

For long-haul carriers, the cost of installation is spread over many flight hours. This makes the investment in enhanced commercial aviation connectivity worthwhile. For Ryanair, the economics are different. The airline’s entire model rests on minimal Ryanair operating costs. Even a 0.3% increase in Boeing 737 fuel efficiency is significant. It affects the razor-thin margins of ultra-low-fare tickets. The dispute showcases the tension between passenger demand for Wi-Fi and the ULCC commitment to the lowest possible ticket price.

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