Starting later this year, American Airlines will put 17,000 Samsung Galaxy Note devices into the hands and pockets of American Airlines flight attendants.

Though the video repeatedly refers to it as a tablet, the term “phablet” better suits the Samsung Galaxy Note, since it is actually a smartphone, albeit one with a large screen. As the video states, American Airlines is focusing on modernization,  and part of that is giving its flight attendants better tools.

It seems that flight attendants will be able to use the Note to keep track of customers' name, seat numbers and other preferences.  Flight attendants will also be able to check the status of a customer's other flights to let them know of potential delays and other information.

One question does remain though: are flight attendants going to have to turn of their devices during takeoff?

Do you think that we'll see other airlines adopt this sort of program?