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Ryanair Rejects Starlink as Lufthansa Moves Ahead With Fleet Installations

The low-cost carrier says a 2% fuel hit outweighs any benefit on one-hour routes.

Overview

  • CEO Michael O’Leary said Starlink hardware would impose about a 2% fuel penalty from added weight and drag.
  • He added that Ryanair customers are unlikely to pay for Wi‑Fi on typical one‑hour flights.
  • Lufthansa Group announced plans to roll out Starlink across mainline and subsidiary fleets, with installations expected later this year.
  • SAS selected Starlink last year and said the system’s aerodynamic drag was lower than rival offerings.
  • Other airlines reporting Starlink deals include United, Alaska Airlines, Qatar Airways and Air France, while Ryanair remains focused on ultra‑low‑cost, short‑haul operations.