Elon Musk has clashed publicly with Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary after Europe's largest budget airline ruled out installing SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet across its fleet, triggering a sharp exchange of insults on social media.
The dispute began after Ryanair said the technology was not commercially viable for its short-haul model, citing increased fuel consumption due to the weight and drag of the antenna. O'Leary argued that passengers flying for around an hour were unwilling to pay extra for onboard Wi-Fi, a view that puts the Irish carrier at odds with rivals increasingly embracing high-speed satellite connectivity.
