Elon Musk and Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary clashed over in-flight Wi-Fi economics, highlighting a divide in aviation. Long-haul carriers increasingly view high-speed connectivity as essential for premium travelers, with Starlink costing roughly $170,000 per aircraft plus installation. Budget airlines like Ryanair question the value for short flights, citing added weight, fuel costs, and low passenger willingness to pay. While full-service carriers adopt freemium models to attract loyalty, short-haul operators remain skeptical that price-conscious passengers would pay even €1-2 for connectivity on brief journeys.
Table of contents
Read: Wi-Fi in minibus taxis to be scaled nationwideRead: Your Wi-Fi router is about to start watching you41 Impressions