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

United has announced inflight Starlink Wi-Fi will arrive sooner than anticipated, with the first commercial test flight scheduled next month on an Embraer E-175. The airline plans to equip all of its two-cabin regional aircraft with the technology before the end of 2025.

Elon Musk continues to push the boundaries of technology and connectivity by partnering with United Airlines to bring Starlink's high-speed Wi-Fi service to the skies. United Airlines is gearing up to test the Starlink Wi-Fi next month,