If you are addressed by name on an upcoming American Airlines flight, don’t be surprised. American Airlines flight attendants will have access to customer information when they begin using Samsung Galaxy Note tablets onboard flights later this year. Flight attendants will be able to view passengers’ names and seat numbers, along with their AAdvantage status. They will also be able to use the tablets to record meal and beverage preferences for those sitting in business and first class and provide connecting gate, flight delays and weather information. American Airlines tested the onboard use of Galaxy Note tablets this spring and will begin handing the devices out to its 17,000 flight attendants this year.

Bottom line: British Airways began a similar program when it handed out iPads to flight attendants, who were instructed to search Google images to help them identify valued passengers when they boarded the aircraft. American Airlines hasn’t announced it will be using the Samsung devices to identify customers upon arrival.