United Airlines flights will have access to Elon Musk’s Starlink Wi-Fi services as early as this spring, a sign of the widening reach of the tech billionaire.

The first mainline jet will be outfitted before the end of 2025. But only members of the carrier's loyalty program will get the service free, United said in a statement.

United Airlines says in-flight Wi-Fi through Starlink will eventually be available on all United flights on seat-back screens and personal devices.

United Airlines said a faster rollout on its planes will allow for "game-changing" in-flight experiences such as streaming services, shopping and gaming.

The airline and Musk launched the first Starlink-equipped Boeing 777 on a 22 October flight from Doha to London. Qatar Airways is the first airline in the Middle East to offer Starlink to passengers with internet that operates “from gate to gate”.

United Airlines expects to install Starlink for inflight Wi-Fi in its two-cabin regional fleet by the end of 2025.

United Airlines has a lot riding on plans to accelerate its rollout of Elon Musk's Starlink service on its planes.

United Airlines plans to launch its first commercial flight with Starlink Wi-Fi this spring after accelerating its timeline for the new internet service, the company announced Sunday.  The carrier expects to have its entire two-cabin regional fleet outfitted with Starlink Wi-Fi by the end of the year.