American Airlines CIO Maya Leibman said the rollout of the Notes is part of a corporate program that includes adding new planes and pioneering new technologies "to build a new American and return to industry leadership."

The airline is also expanding use of tablets by pilots in the cockpit during all phases of a flight. American is the first commercial airline to receive FAA approval to use the devices in cockpits.

Officials said the company also plans to use the devices to communicate updated information on connecting gates, flight delays and weather to customers. That service requires FAA approval.

The information would be updated over Wi-Fi when the wireless networking technology is added to each aircraft, American said. American didn't comment on how or whether attendants will use Notes as phones to make voice calls.

By the end of the year, 90% of American's domestic fleet will be , according to American's website.