"Free and fast in-flight WiFi could be available on every plane within five years, according to the airline boss who argued with Elon Musk over Starlink. "I think as the WiFi technology improves over the next four or five years, we'll all be offering free WiFi access," Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said during an earnings call on Monday. "Customers will use it if it's free, but if they have to pay for it, they won't use it." The Irish budget airline is known for its no-frills offering and dedication to keeping costs low."
"In recent months, many airlines have signed deals with Starlink, which can provide in-flight internet speeds of over 200 Mbps - faster than many home WiFi connections. However, for Ryanair and O'Leary, cheap tickets are more important for winning customers. "I have no doubt in my mind that a low fare will beat free WiFi on board every single time," the CEO told investors."
"His weeklong quarrel with Musk was sparked by questions about the extra fuel costs incurred by installing a Starlink terminal on an airplane. O'Leary said the aerodynamic drag would lead to a 2% increase, costing over $200 million a year and raising ticket prices. However, a SpaceX executive said in an X post that the increase was only 0.3%. Either way, O'Leary said on Monday, any extra fuel costs would be unacceptable. He said that Ryanair would add in-flight WiFI "in a heartbeat" if the technology improves so that antennae don't need to be installed outside an airplane's"
Free, fast in-flight WiFi could become available on every plane within five years as antenna technology improves. Customers tend to use on-board WiFi when it is free and avoid paid services. Many airlines have signed deals with Starlink, which can deliver speeds over 200 Mbps. Ryanair prioritizes low fares and views any increase in fuel costs from external antennas as unacceptable. Estimates of aerodynamic drag vary between 0.3% and 2%, with a 2% penalty equating to over $200 million annually. Adoption would occur if antennae can be installed without external mounting.
Read at Business Insider
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