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Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 set to sail on American Airlines

Premium-class passengers flying with American Airlines will soon see some new technology implemented in the cabin. Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.
Written by Rachel King, Contributor

Premium-class passengers flying with American Airlines will soon see some new technology implemented in the cabin.Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 will soon be on board for in-flight entertainment.

At least 6,000 units of the Android 3.1-powered tablet will be available on American Airlines jets on the following routes:

  • Transcontinental flights: Between New York’s JFK and Los Angeles; JFK and San Francisco; Miami and Los Angeles served with 767-200 and 767-300 aircraft
  • Transcontinental flights departing from Boston to Los Angeles served with 757 aircraft
  • International flights to and from Europe and South America served with 767-300 aircraft

Unfortunately, neither Samsung Mobile nor American Airlines could be more specific with the launch time except for that it will be "later this year." However, the 10.1-inch version of the Galaxy Tab will be available to consumers nationwide anyway starting on June 17th.

There hasn't been any mention of a rental fee either, but as the tablets will be available in premium class, it is likely that Galaxy Tab usage will be included in the ticket price.

The ultra-thin Samsung Galaxy Tabs will not differ much from the regular edition, except Samsung will include some extra memory and optimize the user interface for American's in-flight entertainment features.

This isn't exactly the first time that tablets have been installed on airplanes as an extra perk. Apple's iPad has already taken off with Australian carrier JetStar Airways, and even Alaska Airlines is replacing its paper flight manuals with the iOS tablet.

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