Musk’s online followers voted overwhelmingly in favor of the idea, signaling his influence and the entertainment value of polling the public on big moves, with roughly three-quarters of about 900,000 participants approving.

A Musk‑led poll suggested a potential Ryanair purchase, but EU ownership rules would block any acquisition since Ryanair is EU‑based and subject to ownership limits.

The episode illustrates how social media can sway market sentiment and ignite broader debates about technology adoption, regulation, and strategy in aviation and tech.

Coverage, including The Irish Times, portrays the exchange as a high‑profile moment drawing attention to technology adoption in aviation and influencing public perception.

Prediction markets show activity around the feud, using crowdsourced bets to gauge possible outcomes like corporate moves or wider market impact.

Investors are unlikely to be deeply affected by the rhetoric given regulatory barriers and Ryanair’s solid performance, though the debate signals potential regulatory considerations for aviation connectivity.

The clash echoes Musk’s historic use of public polls to gauge opinion and influence discussion, though a takeover remains unlikely due to regulatory constraints.

Two high‑profile figures in tech and aviation—Elon Musk and Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O’Leary—spar over Starlink in-flight connectivity, with O’Leary criticizing the costs and Musk joking about buying Ryanair.

Media and public discourse frame the clash as a case study of billionaire‑driven social media advocacy shaping perceptions of aviation tech and regulatory environments.

Public reaction on social media mixes entertainment with skepticism about substantive business outcomes.

Recent trends point to a shift toward satellite connectivity in aviation, with potential regulatory scrutiny of foreign ownership that could drive partnerships or strategic shifts rather than a takeover.

Future demand for satellite in‑flight connectivity is rising, prompting airlines to weigh costs and passenger expectations and possibly reassessing ownership rules in the long term.