Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary Embraces Feud with Elon Musk

Michael O’Leary, the CEO of Ryanair, has publicly embraced his feud with Elon Musk, stating that it has positively impacted the airline’s ticket sales. In a recent news conference held in Dublin, O’Leary noted that the ongoing rivalry has led to an increase in bookings for the budget airline.

Impact of Feud on Ryanair’s Success

O’Leary emphasized the benefits of this public relations spat, particularly mentioning a promotional campaign dubbed the “Big Idiot Seat Sale.” He remarked, “We love these PR spats that drive bookings on Ryanair.” In a show of goodwill, O’Leary even offered Musk a complimentary ticket.

Origins of the Dispute

The feud traces back to January 14, when O’Leary announced that Ryanair would not be adopting SpaceX’s Starlink satellite Wi-Fi technology. He cited concerns about the added drag and potential increase in fuel costs. Musk quickly countered, calling O’Leary “misinformed” and dismissed his statements on X, adding that the Ryanair CEO was “an utter idiot” and a “retarded twat.”

Responses from Both CEOs

• O’Leary referred to Musk as “very wealthy, but he’s still an idiot” during an interview with Newstalk.
• He dismissed Musk’s influence, stating, “What Elon Musk knows about flights and drag would be zero.”
• In response to Musk’s insults, O’Leary claimed to take “no insult,” likening it to familial remarks from teenage children.

Ryanair’s Decision on Starlink

O’Leary further elaborated on the financial implications of installing Starlink on Ryanair’s fleet of 643 planes. He estimated that the annual cost would be around $200-250 million due to installation fees and increased fuel expenses. O’Leary also suggested that despite Starlink’s claim that 90% of passengers would pay for Wi-Fi, Ryanair’s experience indicated that less than 10% would typically do so.

Musk’s Comments on Ryanair

The situation escalated when Musk joked about the possibility of acquiring Ryanair. He playfully suggested appointing someone named Ryan to lead the airline and inquired about the cost of acquisition.

O’Leary’s Open Invitation

In light of Musk’s comments about investment, O’Leary expressed openness to welcome Musk’s capital, stating that such an investment would be preferable to the returns Musk is currently seeing on X.

O’Leary concluded by acknowledging the unexpected but beneficial publicity stemming from the dispute, stating, “And we want to thank him sincerely for the additional publicity.” This feud appears not only to be a source of entertainment but also a strategic advantage for Ryanair as it continues to navigate the competitive airline industry.