Cathay Pacific does an unbelievable job with its lounges, and specifically, I’d argue the airline units the business commonplace on the subject of lounge design. For fairly a while now, Cathay Pacific has been renovating The Wing First Class Lounge, which is without doubt one of the provider’s two main top quality lounges at its Hong Kong Worldwide Airport (HKG) hub.
The airline has been claiming that this would be the provider’s new flagship lounge when it opens, and can increase the bar on the subject of design. There’s now an thrilling replace, because the airline has simply unveiled what the lounge will appear like, because it’s opening shortly. It’s a stunner, however there’s a serious catch!
New Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge opening
Cathay Pacific’s The Wing First Class Lounge shall be reopening on April 22, 2026, roughly 11 months after the lounge was closed, to bear its greatest refurbishment to this point. Cathay Pacific describes the brand new lounge as heralding a brand new chapter in Cathay Pacific’s international lounge design, as a part of its broader lounge enhancement plan in Hong Kong and all over the world.
As earlier than, Cathay Pacific partnered with London-based StudioIlse on this undertaking, so whereas it raises the bar in comparison with different lounges, it ought to look acquainted, when it comes to the vibe. Because it’s described, the brand new lounge “harmoniously blends up to date design and residential consolation, retaining its heat and familiarity, whereas introducing a extra holistic method to area, eating and repair for elevated consolation and privateness.”
Earlier than we check out the redesigned lounge, let me hyperlink to my opinions of Cathay Pacific’s The Pier First Class Lounge, in addition to the previous Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge, which I think about to be among the many greatest top quality lounges on the planet. The concept is that the up to date model of The Wing is extra like The Pier, however much more elevated.
What can we anticipate? By way of design, inexperienced onyx continues to anchor the area, whereas walnut wooden has been launched as the first timber, offered in all kinds of finishes and detailing so as to add heat and depth. Granite can also be getting used for the flooring, meant to honor its heritage in conventional Chinese language structure.
On the subject of the lounge’s design and structure, right here’s what we will anticipate with The Wing First Class Lounge:
- The Atrium is a light-filled, open area, that serves because the crossroads of the lounge, and it’s the extra informal eating venue, with a menu that evolves all through the day; that is additionally the place you’ll discover the Pantry, which provides an intensive self-serve collection of mild snacks
- The Eating Room is the extra formal eating expertise, with a la carte desk service that includes Asian and worldwide dishes; this seems remarkably much like the eating area in The Pier
- The Retreat is a brand new area with seven personal cubicles, the place friends can get pleasure from a foot or neck and shoulder therapeutic massage to loosen up; that is impressed by The Pier, and it’s the primary time we’re seeing spa remedies in The Wing
- The Alcove options 5 multipurpose cubicles designed for consolation and privateness, every geared up with a compact desk and charging amenities
- The lounge has new bathe suites, although sadly these come on the expense of the enduring Cabanas, which had been arguably the world’s greatest airport showers
- The Bureau is a brand new characteristic with absolutely enclosed workspaces, providing full privateness for individuals who wish to work or conduct conferences
Under are some photos of the brand new The Wing First Class Lounge.
This lounge seems attractive, however there’s a serious catch
Cathay Pacific did a fully stellar job with renovating The Wing First Class Lounge, and I believe it seems unbelievable. It’s lots like The Pier First Class Lounge, and arguably much more elevated, so enormous kudos to Cathay Pacific on that.
Now, there may be some dangerous information, although. Traditionally, Cathay Pacific’s top quality lounges have adopted commonplace oneworld lounge entry guidelines, which means they’ve been open to all oneworld top quality passengers, plus all oneworld Emerald members.
When this lounge reopens, that gained’t be the case… a minimum of initially. Because the airline describes it, it’s anticipating robust demand for visiting this lounge, and with a purpose to “keep a constantly excessive commonplace of service through the preliminary interval,” the airline shall be limiting entry. We’ll see how lengthy that “preliminary interval” lasts.
Throughout this time, the lounge will solely be open to Cathay Pacific top quality passengers, and also will be open to Cathay Pacific Diamond members and above. In the meantime different oneworld top quality passengers, plus different oneworld Emerald members, are invited to go to The Pier First Class Lounge, or any of Cathay Pacific’s different lounges on the airport.
Backside line
Cathay Pacific has simply unveiled The Wing First Class Lounge, after it has undergone a virtually year-long renovation. That is being marketed because the provider’s new flagship lounge, and it attracts inspiration from The Pier First Class Lounge.
Not surprisingly, Cathay Pacific knocked it out of the park, and the brand new lounge seems phenomenal. The one catch is that a minimum of for the foreseeable future, us lowly oneworld Emerald members who earn standing with an airline aside from Cathay Pacific gained’t be invited to make use of this facility, although that’s anticipated to vary in the long term.
What do you make of the brand new Cathay Pacific The Pier First Class Lounge (plus the entry restrictions)?
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