A public dispute between Elon Musk and Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair, has unexpectedly benefited the budget airline, driving up bookings and generating publicity. O’Leary expressed gratitude for the added attention at a news conference in Dublin on March 6, 2024, stating, “We love these PR spats that drive bookings on Ryanair. And we want to thank him sincerely for the additional publicity.”
The conflict ignited when Ryanair announced it would not equip its fleet with Starlink, a satellite-based internet service operated by Musk’s company SpaceX. O’Leary claimed that the antennas would increase drag on the aircraft, ultimately raising fuel costs. Musk responded by labeling O’Leary as “misinformed” and questioned Ryanair’s ability to accurately measure fuel consumption.
O’Leary didn’t hold back in a subsequent interview with Newstalk, where he described Musk as “an idiot” despite his wealth, suggesting that Musk’s understanding of aviation was non-existent. “What Elon Musk knows about flights and drag would be zero,” O’Leary stated, clearly reveling in the controversy that ensued.
As expected, Musk retaliated with strong language, calling O’Leary “a retarded twat who needs to be fired” and threatened to buy out Ryanair, even conducting an informal poll on social media asking followers if he should “restore Ryan as their rightful ruler.” His reference to “Ryan” was presumably aimed at the late Irish billionaire Tony Ryan, who passed away in 2007.
In a clever twist, Ryanair’s social media team responded with a promotion dubbed the “Great Idiots seat sale,” targeting Musk and his followers. O’Leary announced plans to hold a press conference to address Musk’s comments, further fanning the flames of this unique marketing strategy.
In his latest retort, Musk referred to O’Leary as “the insufferable, special needs chimp currently running Ryanair,” questioning his qualifications in aviation management. The exchange has drawn significant media attention, with O’Leary demonstrating a flair for controversy similar to Musk’s.
O’Leary’s comments during the press conference highlighted the unexpected success of the “Big Idiot Seat Sale.” He remarked, “As anybody with teenage children would know, you’re frequently called an idiot and a twat at home. I don’t need to go outside to be insulted.” He also noted that while only European citizens can own European airlines, Musk would be welcome to invest in Ryanair, suggesting it would yield better returns than his current ventures.
This ongoing feud illustrates how public altercations can sometimes serve as effective marketing tools, as Ryanair capitalizes on the attention garnered by Musk’s involvement. With both parties well-versed in stirring controversy, this exchange may not only reshape their public images but also impact their respective businesses positively.
