To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Two powerful men are slinging mud at each other as a row over Ryanair’s Wifi connection escalates, with both calling each other the biggest ‘idiot.’ The Ryanair CEO, Michael O’Leary and Elon Musk kicked off the new year with a classic billionaire feud, which has intensified in the last few days. With a combined net worth of around £575 billion – most of its Musk’s – the men have not minced their words after apparently souring business talks, with Musk calling the Ryanair boss an ‘imbecile.’ Here is a breakdown of why the two businessmen are taking jabs at each other – and why they get away with behaviour that would get most people cancelled. Ryanair has turned the feud with Elon Musk into a business opportunity (Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire) Starlink The battle of the billionaires started after Ryanair rejected Musk’s Starlink satellite as the budget airline’s potential Wifi provider, saying that the tech installed on planes would require extra fuel and that the fuel drag would cost up to $250 million a year. Musk said he doubted the company could measure the fuel use ‘accurately.’ O’Leary, who is known for his controversial hot takes, insisted that its passengers won’t pay a penny to use the Internet on board and that it would have to be free. The world’s richest man asked his followers if he should buy Ryanair and make someone named Ryan its leader (Picture: AP) He then added fuel to the flames by describing X as ‘cesspit.’ He said: ‘I would pay no attention whatsoever to Elon Musk. He’s an idiot – very wealthy, but he’s still an idiot.’ Must hit back by calling the Ryanair boss ‘an utter idiot and insufferable chimp.’ ‘Big Idiot’ Ryanair sale Instead of retreating, Ryanair then channelled the controversy into a PR opportunity – a typical move by the budget airline known for its social media posts relishing criticism rather than hiding away from it. The airline launched the ‘Big Idiot’ seat sale on Tuesday with 100,000 seats going for £16.99, which O’Leary claimed yesterday has led to a ‘dramatic’ increase in bookings and traffic to its website. Don’t thank us, thank that big “IDIOT” @elonmusk 👀Sale now on👇https://t.co/0c6IvsKyyB pic.twitter.com/JAxRNzaYTa