American Airlines flight attendants will now use tablets to access electronic manuals, in an aim to modernise their processes and save money on fuel.

Following a six-month test period, overseen by the FAA, the airlines flight attendants began using the tablets exclusively from the beginning of September. The electronic manuals allow updates to be downloaded in a manner of minutes, and enable attendants to search through the contents, saving time and improving work efficiency.

The tablet, a lightweight 5.3-inch model produced by Samsung, replaces the nearly five-pound paper manual, and is estimated to save the company nearly $650,000 (£400,000) in fuel annually, based on current prices. The tablets will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2100 metric tons, or 4.6m pounds annually.

In addition to the fuel savings, the tablets provide real-time updates to flight attendants about premium customers, special meals, connection gates, special services and other information. American Airlines pilots have already had their 35-pound flight bag replaced with a 1.2 pound iPad, saving an estimated $1.2m in fuel costs and reducing the risk of injury.

“The accessibility and functionality that the tablet provides our flight attendants will greatly improve their work environment,” said Hector Adler, vice president of flight service for American Airlines. “The tablet allows us to reduce our dependency on paper products and to share important safety information with our flight attendants more quickly.

“This is a very exciting and important milestone for all of us at American as we modernise our processes and provide our employees with the best tools to do their job, and provide better service to our customers.”