If there is one thing the internet loves more than a viral meme, it is a conflict between two billionaires with absolutely zero filter. Recently, there has been a lot of talk online about the ongoing tension between Michael O’Leary, the CEO of Ryanair, and Elon Musk. While they’ve exchanged some light-hearted jabs in the past, their latest disagreement has escalated into something more serious, and it looks like Ryanair has come to the fight ready for action!
What happened?
The feud started earlier this week on X when Ryanair responded to a post that asked, “What is a propaganda you’re not falling for?” Ryanair commented “Wi-Fi on planes”. This public response didn’t go well with Elon Musk. He suggested he might acquire Ryanair and remove O’Leary from his position.
Musk responded directly to Ryanair’s comment, asking, “How much would it cost to buy you?” He also added that he wants to put a ‘Ryan’ in charge of the airline.
O’Leary addressed his rejection of Starlink during an interview with the Irish radio station Newstalk, citing significant financial and technical barriers. He explained, “We have to put an aerial antenna on top of the aircraft. It would cost us about $200-250 million a year. In other words, about an extra dollar for every passenger we fly.”
He shed light on the reality of how expensive it will get for passengers, saying, “We can’t afford those costs. Passengers won’t pay for internet usage… so we’re not putting it on board.” When asked about Elon Musk’s comments about buying the airline, O’Leary said, “I would pay no attention whatsoever to Elon Musk. He is an idiot, very wealthy, but he is still an idiot. “
While Musk responded to O’Leary’s remarks by calling him names, Musk’s threat to purchase the airline faces a definitive legal obstacle. Under current regulations, EU-based airlines must be majority-owned by EU nationals, preventing a takeover by the American tech mogul.
The conflict between the two has now taken a serious turn, with Ryanair launching a promotional campaign explicitly targeting Elon Musk. Named the big “Idiot” seat sale, the airline released marketing materials featuring a caricature of CEO Michael O’Leary and Musk. The accompanying text advertised fares starting at around $20 (£16.99), stating they were “Only available for Elon Musk and any other ‘idiots’ on X.”
Simultaneously, Ryanair issued a press statement announcing that O’Leary would hold a conference in Dublin to address or (undress) what the company termed “Musk’s latest Twitshit.” The release was notably direct, quoting O’Leary’s assertion that “Musk knows even less about airline ownership rules than he does about aircraft aerodynamics.”
Public reactions
People were surprised by the airline’s unexpected announcement. One person highlighted the cleverness of the move, saying, “Any publicity is good publicity, O’Leary strikes again and spectacularly this time.” It is hard to argue with that logic. By picking a fight with one of the most influential people in the world, O’Leary ensured millions of eyes were on Ryanair’s pricing.
Some people also appreciated the Irish people’s humour. One comment read, “In a battle of wits, my money’s on the Irishman.” O’Leary has survived for decades in the cutthroat aviation industry by outsmarting both established airlines and regulators. It’s not wise to underestimate his knack for shaping media stories to his advantage, that too in a fun way.
However, some users warned that such posts might have consequences. “Be careful – the last ones having beef with Elon are now X.” This refers to the trail of disrupted industries and rebranded companies Musk leaves in his wake.
Another user shared a similar feeling, recalling how Elon Musk took over Twitter in a dramatic way. They mentioned, “The last time something like this happened, Elon walked in a few days later with the kitchen sink.” This is a literal reference to Musk’s first day at Twitter HQ, when he carried a porcelain sink into the lobby to tweet, “Let that sink in.” It shows how Musk’s lighthearted jokes often lead to serious and impactful business actions.
Why it matters
Beyond the memes and the insults, this spat highlights a clash between two very different business philosophies. On one side, there’s the optimistic approach from Silicon Valley, which believes that every problem, including boredom during flights, can be fixed with more technology and better gadgets. On the other side is the practical approach of low-cost airlines, where considerations like physics and fuel costs guide every decision.
This whole situation also highlights the importance of understanding what your brand stands for. Ryanair knows who they are: budget-friendly, fun, and unapologetic. Instead of giving a polite refusal to Starlink, they boldly declined the offer, reinforcing their promise to keep costs low and avoid unnecessary extras that could push customers away.