Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary reignites feud with Elon Musk over Starlink snub: 'If we can annoy him again, so much the better'

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has escalated his public spat with Elon Musk, saying he would happily annoy the Tesla and SpaceX boss again. The feud stems from Ryanair's decision not to install Starlink satellite internet on its aircraft, despite Musk's company being a leading provider of in-flight connectivity. O'Leary's latest remarks, reported by Fortune, signal no thaw in relations between the budget airline and the world's richest man. The disagreement highlights a broader strategic divide: Ryanair has prioritized cost control and operational efficiency over premium onboard services, while Starlink has been aggressively courting airlines with its low-latency broadband. O'Leary, known for his combative style, has previously dismissed Starlink as unnecessary for short-haul European flights, where passengers are less likely to pay for Wi-Fi. Industry analysts note that in-flight connectivity is becoming a competitive battleground, with carriers like Delta, Hawaiian Airlines, and JSX already adopting Starlink. Ryanair's refusal to follow suit could risk alienating tech-savvy travelers, but O'Leary appears unfazed, betting that rock-bottom fares will remain the airline's primary draw. As the war of words continues, the question is whether Ryanair can maintain its no-frills dominance in an era where even budget carriers are under pressure to modernize. For now, O'Leary seems content to keep poking the bear—and the flying public is watching.