The IT Nerd

You might recall that Microsoft scored a bit of a coup by getting Delta Airlines to outfit 11000 pilots with Surface 2 tablets. We’ll it seems if the pilots had their way, the’d have iPads according to AppleInsider:

“We fought hard for iPad,” a pilot working for the airline told AppleInsider. He described the Delta deal as being about money, travel contracts, and Delta’s Information Technology staff historically being “in bed” with Microsoft. 

The story goes on to describe the fact that the airline originally looked at iPads after the FAA approved them for cockpit use and Delta had purchased thousands of iPads for it’s ground staff. What’s even more perplexing is the fact that the Surface 2 is not even approved as an electronic flight bag or EFB by the FAA (unlike the iPad). And that this program will only be fully operational in two years. Assuming that this tablet is even available two years from now, which is unlikely given how fast technology changes. That doesn’t sound like a good return on investment.

This I feel will end badly for Delta.

Apparently someone wants the Surface 2 tablet.

All Things Digital is reporting that Delta is going to equip its pilots with Microsoft Surface 2 tablets after testing out iPads:

The deployment will start later this year with pilots of 757 and 767 aircraft, with the goal to have all cockpits paperless by the end of next year. The Surface tablets will contain charts, reference documents and other information. Delta estimates that it can save $13 million in fuel costs by replacing the paper manuals.

Seeing as Delta has 11,000 pilots, this is not a small rollout and has to be considered a win for Microsoft. You can also bet that they will milk this for all it’s worth.