In a surprising twist, Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O'Leary, has credited an ongoing public spat with tech mogul Elon Musk for providing a significant and 'wonderful' surge in publicity, directly impacting the airline's booking figures. O'Leary, during a recent press briefing, not only thanked Musk for the unexpected boost but also extended a lighthearted invitation for the Tesla and SpaceX chief to consider investing in the budget airline, humorously highlighting Ryanair’s better investment returns compared to Musk's social media platform, X (formerly Twitter). This intriguing narrative began when Musk critically commented on Ryanair's decision not to implement Starlink internet across its fleet, escalating into a public exchange that has now benefited the airline in an unforeseen way.
Ryanair CEO Mocks Elon Musk's 'X' Investment While Celebrating Publicity Boom
On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, during a press conference, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary addressed the recent public debate with Elon Musk. The controversy ignited when O'Leary detailed Ryanair's rationale for not integrating Starlink satellite internet services across its aircraft fleet. He cited substantial installation expenses and the increased 'fuel drag' that would reportedly add an estimated €100 million to €200 million annually to the airline's fuel costs. This operational decision provoked a sharp reaction from Musk on his platform X, where he labeled O'Leary an 'utter idiot' and even humorously proposed acquiring the airline to replace its CEO with someone named 'Ryan.'<\/p>
Despite Musk's critical remarks, O'Leary expressed gratitude for the 'wonderful' publicity generated. He revealed that the airline's 'great idiots' seat sale, launched on Tuesday following Musk's comments, garnered 'three or four million hits,' leading to a 'very significant' increase in bookings—specifically, a 2% to 3% rise over the preceding five days. In a gesture of appreciation, O'Leary offered Musk a complimentary ticket, acknowledging the unexpected but beneficial attention his airline received.<\/p>
Furthermore, O'Leary extended a tongue-in-cheek invitation to the Tesla CEO, welcoming him to invest in Ryanair. He noted, 'We're a publicly owned company. He's free to do so at any time,' though he also pointed out that 'non-European citizens cannot own a majority of European airlines.' In a subtle jab, O'Leary suggested that an investment in Ryanair would yield 'significantly better' returns than Musk's $44 billion acquisition of X. In the wake of this public exchange, Ryanair's shares have shown a positive trend, increasing by 2.83% over the past week and closing at $70.45 on Wednesday, up 1.37%, with an overnight gain of 3.89%. The airline continues to receive favorable ratings in financial analyses, particularly in momentum and value, indicating a strong price trend across short, medium, and long terms.<\/p>
This entire episode serves as a fascinating study in modern corporate communication and public relations. It demonstrates how a seemingly negative public exchange, particularly one involving high-profile personalities like Elon Musk, can be strategically leveraged to create substantial positive exposure and tangible business benefits. O'Leary's adept handling of the situation, transforming criticism into a marketing opportunity, highlights the importance of wit and resilience in leadership. Moreover, it underscores the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of the market, where even an online spat can influence stock performance and consumer engagement. This event provides valuable insights for businesses navigating the complex landscape of digital interactions and reputation management, proving that sometimes, any publicity truly is good publicity.