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Ryanair Rejects Starlink Wi‑Fi, Bucking a Growing Airline Trend

Ryanair says antennas would add about 2% to fuel burn, undermining the case on one‑hour flights.

Overview

  • CEO Michael O’Leary said a fuselage‑mounted Starlink antenna would impose roughly a 2% fuel penalty due to weight and drag.
  • He argued that customers on the carrier’s typical one‑hour segments are unlikely to pay for in‑flight Wi‑Fi.
  • Lufthansa Group announced plans to install Starlink across its airlines, with installations expected to begin later this year.
  • United, Alaska Airlines, Qatar Airways and Air France have signed Starlink agreements, and SAS selected the service after noting lower aerodynamic drag than rival systems.
  • Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline by passengers and fleet, flies mostly within Europe with additional routes to North Africa, Turkey, Cyprus and Jordan.