What Sparked the Musk-Ryanair Feud
The online dispute began when Ryanair — under CEO Michael O’Leary — publicly dismissed the idea of installing Starlink satellite internet on its aircraft, arguing that the added equipment would increase fuel costs without sufficient passenger demand. In response, Musk disputed O’Leary’s cost assessments and exchanged sharp comments with the outspoken airline chief.
O’Leary was quoted calling Musk “an idiot” with “zero” airline knowledge — comments Musk quickly defended himself against on X. From there, the tech mogul broadened the exchange beyond Starlink, directly challenging O’Leary’s leadership.
Musk’s Social Media Poll: Buying Ryanair?
The Poll and Its Response
Amid the escalating feud, Musk took to his social platform, X (formerly Twitter), and launched a public poll asking users whether he should buy Ryanair — turning what started as a business disagreement into takeover speculation. The light-hearted poll phrasing invited users to vote on whether Musk should “buy Ryan Air and restore Ryan as their rightful ruler,” a nod to Ryanair’s original co-founder.
According to reports, the poll rapidly gathered hundreds of thousands of votes, with a significant majority of respondents indicating support for the idea — though it’s unclear whether Musk intends any serious acquisition proposal.
A Pattern of Poll-Driven Decisions
This is not the first time Musk has used public polls on X to drive high-profile decisions or gauge public sentiment. Previously, he used similar polls in connection with major business decisions — including announcing and executing his takeover of X itself and soliciting views on corporate governance moves at Tesla.
But while this latest poll has amused followers and sparked viral engagement, real-world feasibility remains highly uncertain, especially given aviation industry regulations and ownership requirements.
Aviation Industry Rules and Takeover Challenges
EU Ownership Regulations
Even if Musk seriously considered acquiring Ryanair, European Union laws require airlines operating in the bloc to remain at least 50 % owned and effectively controlled by EU nationals. This regulation could prevent a U.S. billionaire — even one of the world’s wealthiest individuals — from securing controlling ownership without structural changes to the airline’s governance.
Ryanair — with a market valuation estimated in the tens of billions — also has a diversified shareholder base and operational footprint that would make any acquisition complex and subject to regulatory scrutiny.
Ryanair’s Business Position
Founded as an Irish low-cost carrier, Ryanair has grown into one of Europe’s largest airlines, known for ultra-low fares and a high-frequency route network. The company routinely invests in new Boeing aircraft and competitive expansion strategies, making any takeover a significant strategic challenge.
Broader Reactions and Market Speculation
Share Prices and Investor Sentiment
News of Musk’s social media poll and the ongoing feud has even influenced market sentiment at times. Ryanair’s share price reportedly experienced minor fluctuations amid takeover speculation and online chatter — though analysts caution that such movements are often short-lived in the absence of formal acquisition plans.
Public and Media Buzz
The exchange has generated wide media coverage, not just in business and tech circles but also among general news audiences, as Musk’s outspoken style and unconventional use of social polling grab headlines. Discussions range from the practical challenges of airline acquisitions to the role of public figures in shaping corporate narratives on social platforms.
Starlink and Airline Connectivity Debate
Starlink’s Proposition
Elon Musk’s aerospace venture, Starlink — a satellite internet constellation — has been marketed to airlines as a means to provide high-speed onboard connectivity. Several carriers worldwide have already adopted or evaluated the technology, seeing in-flight internet as an added passenger service.
However, Ryanair’s leadership has pushed back, citing concerns about increased fuel usage, cost implications, and passenger willingness to pay for such services on short-haul flights.
What Comes Next
Ongoing Online Exchange
With the online feud entering its second week, observers will be watching for further developments — including whether Musk doubles down on his poll-driven suggestion or simply lets the debate remain a social media spectacle.
Regulatory and Industry Realities
Even if Musk’s followers strongly support the idea of a takeover, any formal bid for Ryanair would require navigating intricate regulatory frameworks, EU airline ownership requirements, and complex corporate governance issues — making an actual acquisition highly challenging.
This article is written in accordance with AdSense safety standards and Google News editorial structure. It synthesizes reporting from multiple international sources to provide a comprehensive overview of the public dispute between Elon Musk and Ryanair’s CEO and the social media poll that has captured global attention.