Microsoft’s Surface 2 scores an early win as Delta signs on to buy 11,000 tablets

In an attempt to save money and be more environmentally friendly, Delta is providing its pilots with 11,000 next-generation flight bags that will each include a new Surface 2 tablet. The Windows RT 8.1 slate will “provide flight crews real-time access to essential tools and the most up-to-date flight-related resources.” It should also save the airline over $13 million per year in the process thanks to reductions in fuel costs and other related expenses. The previous electronic flight bags weighed in at around 38 pounds, and considering the amount of flights Delta makes in a year, every pound counts, so the reduced weight should at least marginally cut down on fuel costs. Delta is currently seeking approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to use the tablets “during all phases of flight,” which might also be a good sign for the possible upcoming changes to in-flight electronics use rules.