Musk Floats Ryanair Takeover After Online Spat With O’Leary Over In-Flight Wi-Fi

Elon Musk has sparked fresh speculation online after suggesting he could turn his attention from rockets to runways by buying Ryanair and removing its outspoken chief executive, Michael O’Leary.

Posting on his social media platform X, the Tesla and SpaceX boss asked followers whether he should acquire the low-cost airline and “restore Ryan as their rightful ruler”. The tongue-in-cheek poll has attracted more than 37 million responses so far, with over three-quarters voting in favour.

The suggestion follows a public and increasingly personal clash between Musk and Ryanair over the use of in-flight Wi-Fi. The row began when Ryanair’s official account reposted one of Musk’s messages asking: “What is a propaganda you’re not falling for??”

Ryanair replied bluntly: “Wi-Fi on planes.”

The exchange escalated after O’Leary dismissed Musk’s claims that Starlink satellite technology could provide internet access on Ryanair flights. The airline boss has argued that the added weight and cost of the system would make little sense for Ryanair’s short-haul operations.

Musk, however, has pointed out that rivals such as British Airways have adopted Starlink, suggesting Ryanair risks losing customers by refusing to follow suit.

The disagreement soon descended into name-calling. O’Leary labelled Musk a “very wealthy idiot” in an interview with Irish radio station Newstalk, also criticising X as a “cesspit”. Musk responded in kind, calling O’Leary an “utter idiot” and directing further insults at the Ryanair chief.

Amid the online sparring, Musk openly asked how much it would cost to buy Ryanair, though any takeover would be blocked by EU rules requiring airlines to be majority-owned and controlled by European entities.

Despite the controversy, Ryanair has enjoyed a strong financial performance. The airline reported that quarterly profits more than doubled in July, boosted by higher fares following a busy Easter travel period.