MINT·2026-01-16 17:34Core Viewpoint - The public dispute between Elon Musk and Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary escalated over the proposal of installing SpaceX's Starlink internet on Ryanair flights, highlighting differing views on passenger demand and operational costs [1][4]. Group 1: Ryanair's Position - Ryanair's CEO Michael O'Leary rejected the installation of Starlink due to a projected 2% fuel penalty from the antenna's weight and drag, stating that passengers are unlikely to pay for WiFi on short flights [2][5]. - O'Leary estimated that operating Starlink could cost Ryanair up to $250 million annually [7]. Group 2: Musk's Response - Elon Musk labeled O'Leary as "misinformed" and warned that Ryanair could lose passengers to competitors already using Starlink [2][5]. - Musk retaliated to O'Leary's comments by calling him an "utter idiot" and suggested that he should be fired from his position [8][9]. Group 3: Financial Context - O'Leary is set to receive a $116 million bonus in 2028 for meeting performance targets, which is significantly less than Musk's wealth, which exceeds $700 billion [9][11]. - Musk's wealth surpasses that of the next three tech billionaires combined, indicating a vast financial disparity between the two leaders [11].