Following on from other airlines like Delta testing iPads for pilots, British Airways have begun their own trial with Apple's tablet device. In a slightly different slant on usage though, BA have brought the device to cabin crew.

From The Telegraph:

The Apple device is not only replacing a document known as the manifest, but also contains timetables, safety information and even detailed profiles of everyone on board.

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The iPads will contain a wealth of information, from seating plans to passengers’ meal preferences, previous flights and whether or not they are members of BA’s frequent flyer programme.

Crucially they will also enable the crew to know which passengers have connecting flights, enabling them to make alternative arrangements should there be any delay.

This represents a huge step in not just modernising the way an airline like British Airways conducts business, such as dealing with delays and making arrangements for connections, the environmental impact of the industry as a whole could also be greatly reduced. Use of an iPad or similar tablet device in this manner removes the need for a lot of the physical paper printouts currently used on every flight.

These trials with various airlines will prove interesting and the impact should not be underestimated.