Delta plans to equip Boeing 757 and Boeing 767 pilots with the Surface 2 this year, and then go completely paperless by the end of 2014. September 30, 2013 9:56 AM PDT (Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET) Delta has decided to jump on Microsoft's Surface bandwagon. Delta will deploy the Surface 2 to 11,000 pilots by the end of 2014, the airline and Microsoft announced on Monday. The airline will equip Boeing 757 and Boeing 767 pilots with the Surface 2 later this year, and will roll it out to all other cockpits by the end of 2014. Rather than opt for the Surface 2 Pro, Delta has decided to invest in the Windows RT-based Surface 2. The slates will run on Windows RT 8.1 and come with apps the pilots need to complete their jobs, including carts, reference documents, and checklists, Microsoft says. Delta expects to save $13 million per year in fuel and other costs by using the Surface 2. The addition of the Surface 2 to flights could be a boon for Delta. The company will be able to cut 7.5 million sheets of paper per year by using the tablet and will reduce fuel consumption by 1.2 million gallons annually. Before Delta can use the Surface 2 for all phases of the flight process, the company needs to get FAA approval. According to Microsoft, Delta expects to receive full approval from the FAA to use the Surface 2 on all devices and all flight phases sometime next year.
Delta plans to equip Boeing 757 and Boeing 767 pilots with the Surface 2 this year, and then go completely paperless by the end of 2014.
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
Delta has decided to jump on Microsoft's Surface bandwagon.
Delta will deploy the Surface 2 to 11,000 pilots by the end of 2014, the airline and Microsoft announced on Monday. The airline will equip Boeing 757 and Boeing 767 pilots with the Surface 2 later this year, and will roll it out to all other cockpits by the end of 2014.
Rather than opt for the Surface 2 Pro, Delta has decided to invest in the Windows RT-based Surface 2. The slates will run on Windows RT 8.1 and come with apps the pilots need to complete their jobs, including carts, reference documents, and checklists, Microsoft says. Delta expects to save $13 million per year in fuel and other costs by using the Surface 2.
The addition of the Surface 2 to flights could be a boon for Delta. The company will be able to cut 7.5 million sheets of paper per year by using the tablet and will reduce fuel consumption by 1.2 million gallons annually.
Before Delta can use the Surface 2 for all phases of the flight process, the company needs to get FAA approval. According to Microsoft, Delta expects to receive full approval from the FAA to use the Surface 2 on all devices and all flight phases sometime next year.
