American Airlines said it plans to purchase about 17,000 first-generation Samsung Galaxy Notedevices for use by cabin crew members during flights.

Flight attendants will use the combination smartphone/tablet to record passengers’ meal beverage preferences, to access information such as customer names, seat numbers special assistance needs. The airline will begin deploying the devices later this year expects to continue the rollout through mid-2013.

American decided to use Galaxy Notes after completing a pilot program in which 40 flight attendants tested several devices gave feedback about their preferences.

According to the airline, the testers liked the Note’s thin design, its security features its HD display. They also liked the fact that they could hold the device in one h easily slip it into a pocket.

American Airlines CIO Maya ibman said the Note rollout is part of a corporate program that includes pioneering new technologies “to build a new American return to industry leadership.”

As part of this initiative, the airline will also exp the use of tablets in the cockpit during all phases of flights; American is the first commercial airline to receive FAA approval to do that.

Eventually, American hopes that crew members will be able to use tablets to give passengers timely information about connecting gates, flight delays weather issues.

This version of this story was originally published in ‘s print edition. It was adapted from an article that appeared earlier on .com.

Read more about mobile/wireless in ‘s Mobile/reless Topic Center.