American Airlines to Offer Samsung Galaxy Tab Computers in First and Business

American Airlines passengers flying in business and first class on many of the airline’s long-haul fleet will soon get a major upgrade to their in-flight entertainment options. The airline will offer the Samsung Android-based Galaxy Tab 10.1 mobile tablets in premium cabins on select flights starting later this year.

American plans to deploy 6,000 Galaxy Tabs on Boeing 767 flights between New York’s JFK airport and Los Angeles, JFK and San Francisco, and Miami and Los Angeles.  Passengers can also expect to see tablets on international flights to and from Europe and South America and on Boeing 757 flights departing from Boston to Los Angeles.

The tablet computers should also allow passengers to view streaming video when that option becomes available later this year from Gogo.

“Working with Samsung to  outfit our premium cabins with the innovative Galaxy Tab will give our  premium customers a modern and innovative in-flight entertainment  experience,” said Virasb Vahidi, the airline’s chief commercial officer.

Replacing American’s current entertainment system, the Wi-Fi enabled Galaxy Tabs will allow passengers to use the Internet in flight for an additional fee. Samsung will customize the tablets for American’s entertainment needs, including adding more memory.

Starting June 17, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be available for sale nationwide.

The deal comes as tablets are making their way onto commercial flights in various forms. Last year, low-cost Qantas subsidiary JetStar tested the Apple iPad as part of its in-flight entertainment system, and Alaska Airlines recently replaced its paper pilot manuals with iPads.