The Impact Of Paperless Cockpits

Earlier this year, we reported on American Airlines' newly approved iPad technology that allowed the airlines to reduce the size of the paper manuals that the FAA required pilots to keep on board. At the time, it was evident that the new system would be better for the planet, but with the program underway, it is now apparent that the paperless cockpit is good for business, too.

American Airlines estimates by removing the 35 pounds of paper from their cockpits, they will save 400,000 gallons of fuel each year. This will result in $1.2 million in savings annually, not to mention reduced costs for purchasing paper.

Clearly, paperless cockpits are ideal from a business standpoint, and now that American Airlines has proved successful, JetBlue is also considering a paperless cockpit program.

U.S. airlines are not the only ones going the paperless route. In Australia, the Australian and International Pilots Association has backed the development of paperless systems at all of the major airlines, and the association's president, Barry Jackson, estimates than within a year, all of the airlines that operate in the country will be using iPads instead of paper manuals.

Paperless kitchen wants to know: Would you take whether or not an airline was paperless into consideration when booking a flight? Tell us in the Comments section!

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