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Ryanair plans free in-flight internet within four to five years
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has announced that free Wi-Fi will likely be available on all Ryanair flights within four to five years, as technology advances and costs decrease. Speaking at a press conference in Lisbon, O’Leary expressed confidence that the service will eventually be “virtually free” for passengers.
The airline has been exploring multiple solutions for in-flight connectivity over the past three years, including Starlink, Amazon Web Services, and Vodafone. O’Leary explained that current systems require external antennas on aircraft, which increase fuel consumption, but future technological improvements could make free Wi-Fi feasible.
The announcement comes after a public dispute with Starlink founder Elon Musk, who criticized O’Leary’s comments regarding the potential costs of using the Starlink network. O’Leary emphasized that the disagreement was not about the quality of the system, but rather about the business model: Ryanair believes passengers should not pay for Wi-Fi.
Ryanair also highlighted its upcoming summer schedule in Portugal, offering 160 destinations, as part of the company’s continued expansion across Europe. The airline plans to continue discussions with various providers to ensure a sustainable and cost-effective solution for in-flight internet.