American Airlines Equips Flight Crews with Tablets

American Airlines plans to give each of its 17,000 flight attendants a Samsung Galaxy Note tablet to use on flights. Intended to boost customer service with a personalized touch, the program will give attendants access to detailed information on the passengers they are serving. They can use the tablets to view a list or seat map identifying loyalty program members, pinpoint VIPs or passengers with special needs, take meal and beverage orders, provide customers with information on connecting gates or flight delays, and consult an electronic flight attendant manual. Following a successful pilot program earlier this year, the airline will be distributing the devices to the rest of its attendants through mid-2013. eturbonews.com

The move follows another tablet initiative by the carrier to replace the pilots’ flight bags—which contain manuals, navigation charts and other reference materials and can weigh 35 pounds—with an electronic version stored on Apple iPads. The change required getting the Federal Aviation Administration’s approval to allow pilots to use the devices in the cockpit during flights. The airline says the decreased weight will save $1.2 million annually in fuel expenses. informationweek.com