Emirates eyes smart goggles to shake off looming budget rivals

Emirates, hoping to shake off budget airlines coveting its long-distance customers, has set its sights on goggles. The carrier is studying ways to equip staff with augmented reality glasses that display a passenger’s name and travel habits, allowing more personalised service, Emirates’ chief digital and innovation officer Christoph Mueller said. Travelers may also be given eye-wear to help them navigate airports or browse food menus. “We could enhance customer service tremendously,” said Mueller, who was appointed last year to help modernise airline. “The consumer will want to interact in a completely different way.” Emirates president Tim Clark has warned the company faces a “gathering storm” from budget rivals which are expanding their north-Atlantic routes and threatening to erode the Gulf carrier’s market leadership. <br/>