Against the backdrop of Elon Musk’s ambitions to dominate the in-flight internet market, Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary has ruled out allowing Starlink connectivity on the low-cost carrier’s aircraft.

Speaking to Reuters, O’Leary said installing Starlink would require mounting an antenna on the aircraft fuselage, increasing fuel consumption by around 2% due to additional weight and aerodynamic drag. He added that Ryanair does not believe its passengers are willing to pay for Wi-Fi on short-haul flights that typically last around an hour.

Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost airline, has long prioritised keeping operating costs to a minimum, and O’Leary’s comments suggest the carrier sees limited commercial value in offering paid in-flight connectivity on its core short-haul network.

The decision contrasts with moves by several full-service airlines. Earlier this week, Lufthansa announced an agreement to equip its aircraft with Starlink, expanding high-speed internet access across its fleet. Last year, Scandinavian airline SAS also selected Starlink as its connectivity provider, stating that the system generates less aerodynamic drag than competing technologies.

Starlink, owned by SpaceX, has been actively promoting its low-latency satellite internet service to airlines worldwide, positioning it as a faster and more reliable alternative to traditional in-flight connectivity systems. Elon Musk has previously said aviation connectivity is a key growth area for the business.

The diverging approaches highlight a growing split in the airline industry: while network carriers see high-speed Wi-Fi as an increasingly important part of the passenger experience, ultra-low-cost airlines such as Ryanair remain sceptical that the economics make sense for short-haul travel.