Cyber Week Sale! 50% Off All Access

Delta to Replace Flight Bags With Microsoft Surface 2 Tablets Taking steps toward a completely paperless cockpit, Delta is swapping out its pilots' flight bags for Microsoft Surface 2 tablets.

By Laura Entis

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Techno Buffalo

Delta Airlines announced plans on Monday to snap up 11,000 Microsoft Surface 2 tablets to replace its pilots' outdated flight bags, which currently contain heavy manuals and maps.

Not only are the tablets less cumbersome (a Surface 2 tablet weighs less than 1.5 pounds, whereas the average flight bag weighs 38 pounds), but they allow pilots to easily check flight and weather information while making the airline greener, Delta says.

"Eliminating this weight across our fleet of more than 700 mainline aircraft will lead to 1.2 million fewer gallons of fuel burned each year and result in a 26 million pound reduction in annual emissions—that's the same as taking 2,300 cars off the road," the company said on its website.

Related: The Quest for an Adequate Business Travel Experience

All these gallons of unburned fuel results in a more cost-efficient airline. Microsoft touts that its tablets will save Delta $13 million a year in fuel and related costs.

The company hopes to make its cockpits completely paperless by 2014.

While Delta still needs to get FAA approval to allow its pilots to use the tablets during all phases of flights, including takeoff and landing, an advisory panel recommended to the FAA on Monday that airline passengers should be allowed to use electronic devices to read, play games or enjoy movies and music, even when planes are below 10,000 feet.

According to Microsoft's press release, "Delta expects to receive approval from the FAA to use the tablets during all phases of flight next year."

Laura Entis is a reporter for Fortune.com's Venture section.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

'I Just Hustled': She Earned More Than $300,000 Wrapping Gifts Last Year — and It All Started With a Side Hustle

When Michelle Hensley lost her husband to cancer, she needed to figure out how to earn an income for her family.

Growing a Business

This Breakthrough Technology is Poised to Accelerate Your Company's Growth

Discover a breakthrough technology stacked on top of generative AI, now poised to revolutionize businesses across nearly every sector. Unlock unprecedented growth and profitability potential, achieving levels once thought unattainable.

Science & Technology

You Have 1 Month Left to Prepare for These 5 AI-Powered Marketing Changes — Act Now Before It's Too Late.

Big changes in 2025 will redefine marketing as AI evolves rapidly, offering growth opportunities but also risks. Learn how to stay ahead in this week's video, covering new search platforms and avoiding over-automation.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

Google CEO Sundar Pichai Says 'You'll Be Surprised' By How Google Search Changes Next Year

AI has already changed the look of search, but Google's CEO says there are more changes to come.