For more than a decade, the Cabin Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) has served
as a centralized resource for manuals, safety information and other
tools needed for American Airlines flight attendants to perform their
duties. These resources weren’t always electronic, starting as bulky
paper manuals in the 1960s, then evolving to the compact modern devices
used today.
In 2014, American became the first major airline to receive approval for
a flight attendant Cabin EFB, marking a significant milestone in the
evolution of flight attendant technology.
A new generation of EFBs were introduced this centennial year. This
latest upgrade reflects American’s continued investment in flight
attendants, with new features and capabilities that support everyday
work and improve their overall user experience. Investing in our team
members’ experience also means investing in our customers’ experience.
Modern devices make customer details easier to access, such as customer
status information, preferences and preorder specifics, which help our
flight attendants personalize the experience.
A trip down EFB history lane
What began as manuals — weighing up to 8 pounds and carried in a flight
attendant's tote bag — evolved into handheld devices that put critical
information at flight attendants' fingertips.
“I remember arriving in operations to sign in for a trip and seeing
flight attendants frantically updating their manuals because revisions
were due that day. They'd be removing old bulletins and inserts from
their 4-pound, three-ring binders and carefully filing in the new
pages,” said CLT-based Flight Attendant Heidi Crowe, who has been with
American since 1987. “I was always grateful when the update packet was
thin and not a thick stack held together with industrial-sized staples,
because organizing everything in the correct sections took time. What a
difference technology makes.”
The transition to digital resources made it easier to access flight
information, the Inflight and Service manuals and safety information
while on the go. These tools will continue to evolve and support flight
attendants in the years to come.
Sr. Manager of Inflight Innovation and Insights TJ Bowlin, who began
his career as an American Airlines flight attendant, had the opportunity
to experience the original EFB rollout when we moved from paper manuals
to the first digital device. “It's incredibly rewarding, and truly an
honor, to help deliver the next generation of a tool that supports
flight attendants every day. Seeing how the technology has evolved
reinforces the impact the right tools can have on the flight attendant
experience and ultimately, our customers’ experience,” Bowlin said.
Take a look at the various EFB models throughout the years:
1962
The first flight attendant manual looked much different than
today's EFB. Containing procedures, policies and reference
materials, it provided flight attendants with the information they
needed to perform their duties and navigate day-to-day operations.
1986
In 1986, the flight attendant manual weighed approximately 8
pounds and was carried in a flight attendant's tote bag.
Reflecting the era's strong emphasis on customer service, the
manual focused heavily on service standards, procedures and
delivering a consistent onboard experience. There was a separate
food service manual at this time that highlighted the onboard menu
and service.
1993 and 1994
Manuals were divided into two categories: Safety and Service. In
2000, those resources were consolidated into a single
comprehensive flight attendant manual, bringing all procedures and
guidance together in one place. The move marked an important step
in the manual's evolution and laid the groundwork for another
major milestone that would follow years later: The transition from
paper manuals to the EFB.
2000-2012 Onboard Sales Recorder
Flight attendants relied on paper manuals and the Onboard Sales
Recorder (OSR).
2014 EFB
American later became the first major airline to receive approval
for a flight attendant EFB, marking a significant step forward in
the evolution of flight attendant technology. The introduction of
the EFB marked a major shift from paper manuals to
digital resources. For the first time, flight attendants could
access safety, service and operational information on a single
device. During the transition, flight attendants carried both
paper and electronic manuals until approval was granted to replace
the paper version. Updates could be delivered electronically,
ensuring crews had faster access to the most current information.
2021 EFB
American switched suppliers and upgraded the EFB for the first
time in seven years, expanding mobile capabilities and
streamlining onboard service. The transition also paved the way
for Tap to Pay technology, replacing traditional credit card
readers.
2026 EFB
Building on more than a decade of EFB innovation, the new EFB
offers longer battery life, enhanced contactless payment
capabilities and new hands-free accessories, helping flight
attendants stay connected and ready throughout their day.
Each generation of the EFB tells the story of how flight attendant tools
have evolved alongside our operation and to enhance the way they take
care of American’s customers. Every advancement has made information
more accessible and helped flight attendants stay connected, informed
and ready for every flight.