Why American Airlines bought 17,000 Samsung GALAXY Note II units instead of the Apple iPad

posted by Alan F. / Mar 10, 2013, 12:26 PM

Why American Airlines bought 17,000 Samsung GALAXY Note II units instead of the Apple iPad

The Samsung GALAXY Note II flies with American Airlines

American Airlines was looking to arm their flight attendants with a phablet or tablet so that they could be up to date on flight information, passenger's personal preferences and have answers at their fingertips to questions about connecting flights. Considering that 10,000 American Airlines pilots use the Apple iPad in the cockpit, it would seem that the iPad or perhaps the Apple iPad mini would have been a logical choice.

On the other hand, according to Lisa Canada, AA's Managing Director of Operations Technology, American Airlines maintenance personnel use the Samsung Galaxy Tab to help them quickly find the cause of a problem and the same tablet is given to passengers on American's Business Class so that they can obtain premium inflight entertainment.

Canada said that after months of testing different devices for the flight attendants, and looking at feedback from employees, "We felt that Samsung’s tablets were best suited to our enterprise environment, plus we were able to make customizations to fit our needs." And Samsung's SAFE (Samsung For Enterprise) initiative provided American Airlines with the safety that the airline wanted.

"Our priority is to make serving our customers easy and as intuitive as possible. This includes efforts such as rolling out tablets that simplify and modernize the American experience."-Lisa Canada, Managing Director of Operations, American Airlines

source: BusinessInsider

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Display 5.5" 720 x 1280 pixels

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Battery 3100 mAh(16h 3G talk time)

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47 Comments

1. InspectorGadget80 unregistered

Looks like AA finally choosing the right phone

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 12:34 PM 51

2. sintruder

Posts: 162; Member since: Aug 30, 2012

I think they should also consider the sony xperia tablet z in the future.

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 12:37 PM 7

4. drpain

Posts: 85; Member since: Feb 07, 2013

No digitizer

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 12:44 PM 23

3. Taters

Posts: 6474; Member since: Jan 28, 2013

Wait?! What happened to the iphone and ipad just working unlike those crappy Samsung products that don't work, die after 5 months, feel like cheap plastic, creak etc.? Oh yeah, that was just Samsung haters making stuff up!

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 12:38 PM 30

24. som

Posts: 768; Member since: Nov 10, 2009

iPhone is too small and iPad is too large for flight attendants to carry, so Galaxy Note 2 is the right size and pocket friendly for all businesses.

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 4:33 PM 9

28. Droid_X_Doug

Posts: 5993; Member since: Dec 22, 2010

iPad mini would have met the size requirements. I suspect the decision was based on the extent to which apps and content could be customized. Plus, there was already experience with Sammy tablets in the maintenance organization. I wonder if the pilots had a do-over, would they still go with the iPad?

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 5:20 PM 1

41. garz_pa

Posts: 154; Member since: Nov 03, 2011

LOL. Samsung products die after 5 months? I've been using my S2 for more than two years now. Yeah, you guys sure made that one up.

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 10:00 PM 0

5. menny07

Posts: 89; Member since: Dec 13, 2012

American is pretty cheap though, speaking in the service they offer. -_- Good choice in tablet though.

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 12:44 PM 10

22. guest

Posts: 372; Member since: Jun 13, 2012

As an AA EXP I found their service heads and shoulders above United when I was a 1K with them. Their meals in First class are much better than United second only to Delta. Their lounges are the best of all US legacy carriers with spa like showers, fluffy towels Dermalogica brand amenities and awesome views. Their upgrades for top tier elites are the best in the US. You can fly business class anywhere they fly if you are top tier for the cheapest available economy ticket with their systemwide upgrades. My N7 and Galaxy Note 2 are super fast using their lounge wifi. Loyalty has its rewards ;-)

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 3:37 PM 1

6. Q1Q10

Posts: 20; Member since: Mar 08, 2013

Wait, why did they put a galaxy note 2 picture when the article claims that American Airlines is using a galaxy tab

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 12:50 PM 14

10. Topcat488

Posts: 1415; Member since: Sep 29, 2012

American Airlines maintenance personnel use the Samsung Galaxy Tab... The flight attendants use the Note 2, That's what the article is about. @Q1Q10

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 1:21 PM 16

7. Tre-Nitty

Posts: 470; Member since: Nov 16, 2010

Android loyalists are so funny! Now let me guess, AA is awesome. Like I've said before, if you're not profiting from these business moves, you shouldn't care at all.

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 12:50 PM 3

9. wilsong17 unregistered

so you saying because its not apple its not cool keep drinking your coolaid what can a ipad do that you cant do and a galaxy note 2

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 1:13 PM 12

12. Droiddoes unregistered

So then we can assume you own apple stock based on your comment, correct? Or are you just another hypocritical apple drone?

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 1:25 PM 7

18. Tre-Nitty

Posts: 470; Member since: Nov 16, 2010

Clearly you can't read buddy! You, me, or anybody who rejoices over a particular company buying another companies product for whatever reason is very misguided! I use a note 2 and a iphone 4 for work(company provided), so unlike you, I could care less about Apple, Google, or any other multi-billion dollar company. Trust me droiddoes, Google really could care less about you, just your money!

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 2:35 PM 1

23. Droiddoes unregistered

Well obviously. You (and Google) could always care less, not sure what your poi- oh I get it. You misused the phrase. It's "COULD'NT" care less. And there is very good reason to rejoice in a particular product we enjoy being more ingrained and adopted by others. I could explain it to you, even draw you a picture, but I doubt you'd understand and I do not own crayons.

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 3:42 PM 4

26. Tre-Nitty

Posts: 470; Member since: Nov 16, 2010

You rejoice because it's your business, still makes you an idiot! Bottom line, if you are loyal to any business/product and stand to gain nothing financially, then you are a idiot! Take it how you want. Btw, you suck at humor! Just a heads up.

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 5:03 PM 2

29. Droiddoes unregistered

That's nice. You suck at life and reading comprehension, and as such I am done with you.

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 5:43 PM 0

36. Tre-Nitty

Posts: 470; Member since: Nov 16, 2010

Awww, I struck a nerve. Guess I was right! Oh well, keep being loyal little puppet, Google loves your money.

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 7:16 PM 0

45. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

Apple suck!

posted on Mar 11, 2013, 12:35 AM 1

8. rajagopalan.k

Posts: 35; Member since: Dec 17, 2012

another sharp long nail hip deeply into the i-asses

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 1:09 PM 7

34. SleepingOz unregistered

Not just them but all Samsung haters in general.

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 6:56 PM 2

11. MelvinPainter

Posts: 75; Member since: Apr 05, 2012

iphones and ipads are for those who can't think for themselves.

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 1:21 PM 11

13. kboo1995 unregistered

so now AA IS AWSOME ha? just because they use the HOLY sasmung tablets lol typical SASMUNG users just want to spend the whole day bashing apple go do a real thing in ur life for god sake :)

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 1:50 PM 1

35. SleepingOz unregistered

UMAD BRO?

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 6:57 PM 2

14. Hemlocke unregistered

Why are we holding up a company that has been bailed out more times than a rowboat made of Swiss cheese as some example of great decision making? Regardless of what AA chose, they will still always be the bozos who make pre-2008 AIG look like fiscal geniuses.

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 1:52 PM 0

21. guest

Posts: 372; Member since: Jun 13, 2012

Actually if you knew anything AA was the last airline to hold out on using chapter 11 to restructure their financial obligations. Perhaps you are confusing United or Continental with AA.

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 3:30 PM 2

38. Hemlocke unregistered

They held out so they could get out from under pension and union obligations, but that is a separate matter. While this is their first Chapter 11, it is not the first time they have accepted government bailout money. 2001 was a notable time.

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 7:54 PM 0

15. kirholstov

Posts: 146; Member since: Jun 28, 2012

17 000 omg

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 2:09 PM 3

16. half_21

Posts: 44; Member since: Nov 16, 2012

that's the right way of picking a device...it is based on needs and the functions needed by the users...not just because of the prestige of the brand...

posted on Mar 10, 2013, 2:15 PM 7

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