Thursday, January 22, 2026- Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has openly embraced a now‑viral public feud with tech billionaire Elon Musk, turning a clash over in‑flight Wi‑Fi into unexpectedly valuable publicity for Europe’s largest budget airline. The spat began when O’Leary rejected installing Musk’s Starlink satellite internet on Ryanair planes, citing prohibitive fuel costs and minimal passenger demand. Musk responded on social media with sharp insults and even floated the idea of buying Ryanair, prompting O’Leary to shrug off the comments and lean into the attention.
Rather than shy away from the back‑and‑forth, O’Leary has described the exchange as “good fun” and welcomed the extra media focus, noting that Ryanair’s bookings and awareness have risen thanks to the buzz. In a cheeky marketing twist, the airline launched a “Big Idiot Seat Sale” tied to the feud, offering deeply discounted flights in a tongue‑in‑cheek nod to Musk’s insults. O’Leary also reiterated that while he’s skeptical about Starlink for Ryanair’s short‑haul service, he would welcome Musk as an investor given the strong returns the airline delivers.
Analysts say this unusual clash highlights how corporate leaders are increasingly using social media theatrics to generate headlines and customer engagement — turning personality‑driven spats into marketing moments. With both figures trading barbs and the drama unfolding publicly, O’Leary’s unorthodox handling of the feud underscores how even disputes with billionaires can be spun into positive publicity and commercial momentum in today’s hyper‑connected media environment.
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