Air New Zealand has been working with information technology service provider Dimension Data on unique software for Microsoft's augmented reality (AR) viewer, HoloLens, that could support cabin crew as they carry out their inflight duties by aggregating and displaying key customer information directly in front of them.

Data such as a customer's preferred meal and drinks choice, onward travel and loyalty membership details could be displayed. The airline says the programme is even sophisticated enough to detect the emotion of the customer by picking up on visual and audio cues … though it is not clear how it would be better at doing this than the viewer-less crew member.

The airline says the technology could also allow the airline's cabin crew to move to a paperless inflight system presenting added environmental benefits.

Air New Zealand Chief Digital Officer Avi Golan says the airline has fostered a strong culture of experimentation with new and emerging technologies such as the HoloLens.

Other recent Air New Zealand innovations include auto bag drops to speed up the check-in process with face-to-passport recognition and Airband, a wristband for children travelling unaccompanied that allows parents and guardians to track each step of a child’s journey.