Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Now On Some American Airlines Flights

Like Jerry Seinfeld in the episode “The Airport”, premium-class passengers enjoy all the perks of non-coach seating; starting today on some American Airlines flights, those comforts include a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. (Meanwhile, like Elaine in the same episode, coach passengers will continue to suffer with full bladders and cramped legs.)

The Tabs replace American Airlines’ current personal entertainment devices and will include dozens of movies, TV shows, and audio selections, and will feature a UI skin designed exclusively for the airline. Beginning in 2012, more features are coming, including WiFi, games, and more.

It get even better--some of those same seats will offer flyers a pair of Bose QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones.

If you want to enjoy these new amenities for yourself, make sure you’re on a transcontinental flight between JFK and LA, JFK and San Francisco, Miami and San Francisco, Miami and San Francisco, or Boston and LA, or an international flight to or from Europe and South America.

We assume you’ll still have to shut the Tabs down during takeoff, though. (Alec Baldwin, that includes you, buddy.)




FORT WORTH, Texas – American Airlines customers can now have convenient access to a personal universe of movies, music and TV shows at 35,000 feet. Beginning today, customers traveling in premium class cabins will be the first to see the Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 10.1 device onboard select flights.

American is the first domestic airline to offer a branded tablet onboard its aircraft, giving premium customers access to a library of entertainment options inflight. The customized tablets, which feature a 10.1-inch screen, replace the current personal entertainment devices in American’s First and Business Class cabins on transcontinental flights between New York’s JFK and Los Angeles, JFK and San Francisco, Miami and San Francisco, and Miami and Los Angeles served with 767-200 and 767-300 aircraft; international flights to and from Europe and South America served with 767-300 aircraft; and transcontinental flights between Boston and Los Angeles served with 757 aircraft.

“We continue to move forward with our efforts to modernize the travel experience by using the innovative Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 to provide inflight entertainment onboard,” said Rob Friedman, American’s Vice President – Marketing. “Today’s news is the latest in a series of investments we’ve made in our focus on product and service enhancements for our premium customers, and we know they will be delighted with the contemporary entertainment experience of the tablet.”

During the initial rollout, customers can choose from over 70 movies, including 30 new releases, with three titles exclusive to American from Paramount, as well as a variety of television programs and audio selections – all carefully chosen to cater to the diverse tastes of American’s premium cabin customers.

The tablets also feature a special touchscreen specifically designed for American that allows customers to interact with the devices in a user-friendly way. Customers can move through a custom-built experience that includes a clean and intuitive design, providing customers quick and easy access to their favorite programs throughout the flight. Additional tablet functionality and content will be rolled out over time, beginning in first quarter 2012, and will include Wi-Fi capability on equipped aircraft, games, eReader publications, and more.

“The addition of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 to American’s inflight amenities illustrates the Tab’s universal appeal to a variety of customers,” said Tim Wagner, Samsung Mobile Vice President and General Manager of Enterprise Sales. “With its Android platform, ultra-slim, lightweight design, a brilliant 10-inch touchscreen and an array of entertainment options, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will provide a world-class entertainment experience for travelers onboard American Airlines.”

In addition, First and Business Class customers onboard American’s 777, 767 and select 757 aircraft can enjoy their favorite movies, music and TV shows with Bose® QuietComfort® 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling® headphones. Offered in select markets, the headphones further elevate the premium experience for customers by fading background distractions and delivering a rich, clear audio.