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Do you remember the time when boarding a plane meant being cut off from the world until landing? Today, in-flight connectivity has become commonplace, but one airline has decided to take a different path. Why has Ryanair, in the era of in-flight Internet, chosen not to board with Starlink?
The 3 key points not to miss
Ryanair, known for its affordable fares, has decided to forgo Starlink mainly for economic reasons. CEO Michael O’Leary explained that installing the necessary antenna for Starlink would increase fuel consumption by 2% per flight, an unacceptable increase for a company seeking to reduce costs as much as possible.
The additional weight and drag caused by the antenna are significant factors for Ryanair. For a company that stands out for its low fares, even a slight increase in fuel consumption can have a significant impact on operational costs.
According to Michael O’Leary, Ryanair passengers are not ready to pay for Wi-Fi on one-hour flights, which are the majority in the company’s portfolio. Unlike other carriers that include the service in the ticket price, Ryanair would have had to charge extra, which could have harmed its business model based on attractive fares.
Despite Ryanair’s refusal, Starlink has already been adopted by several European airlines such as Air France, British Airways, and Lufthansa. Elon Musk’s solution offers stable Internet connectivity thanks to a constellation of low-orbit satellites, enabling basic online activities like checking emails or watching videos.
The choice of Starlink by these companies is justified by the lack of credible alternatives on the market. Although Europe is working on a solution with OneWeb, it is not expected to be operational until 2026, leaving Starlink as the best current option for reliable in-flight connectivity.
The choice of European airlines to partner with Starlink raises questions about the continent’s technological sovereignty, especially at a time when relations with the United States are tense. Nevertheless, the lack of viable options forces carriers to turn to Elon Musk’s offering.
OneWeb, a European initiative, is under development to offer an alternative to Starlink. With the planned deployment of hundreds of satellites in the coming years, Europe hopes to strengthen its position in the in-flight Internet market. However, it will take time for this solution to compete with Starlink’s already well-established technology.