Cathay Pacific is well-regarded for service both onboard and on the ground. In particular, their lounges are excellent. I’ve reviewed the Cathay Pacific Lounge in London Heathrow and enjoyed visits in Cathay lounges elsewhere. Now I’ll discuss the various lounges available in their home airport, Hong Kong. There are six separate lounges available to those flying on Cathay Pacific or other Oneworld carriers in HKIA. See the map I edited below. The Cabin and The Arrival closed in 2018, but The Deck opened.
Summary
Everyone likely has a different calculus for which lounge to visit. I have Oneworld Emerald status, which allows me access to any of these lounges when departing from here on a Oneworld flight. While all are nice, my personal preference is the Pier First Class Lounge. I generally go there by default, unless I’m running short on time and my flight is in the low numbered gates. Keep in mind that there is a train going towards higher number gates, basically to where the terminal splits near The Bridge. This is only one way, the train runs the other way for arriving passengers. To go from The Pier to The Wing requires a long walk. Easily 10-15 minutes even with moving walkways.
For those with Business Class Lounge access, I’d probably just go to the lounge closest to departure gate. Most features are the same across all 4 business class lounges, with some minor exceptions. Read on for more detail about each of these lounges. I’ll review them in the order travelers encounter them after clearing passport formalities and enter the departure hall.
The Wing First Class
The Wing lounges are near gates 1 to 4 at HKIA. This is a quick left turn once in the departure hall. The First Class Lounge is one level above the Business Class lounge on which is considered the balcony level. Cathay Pacific First Class Lounges are accessible to Oneworld first class passengers (+1 guest) and Oneworld Emerald members before departure. Both The Wing and The Pier are excellent lounges, especially the First Class areas. The Wing being on upper levels is open to the concourse, and has better views than the subterranean Pier lounges. The Wing is more open and I wouldn’t say it is noisy, but its is less serene than the Pier.
Upon entering the Wing, one of the first things I noticed is the Champagne Bar. Pro Tip: this is not intended to be self serve. One visit here, there was no attendant, so I poured myself a glass. Suddenly, I was politely told that staff was supposed to do this for me. Whoops. Then again, others report serving themselves. I guess it depends if someone is standing there, or how patient you are, and the person working there.
Now with a glass of bubbles, I like to enjoy the view.
The Haven and Cabanas
The Wing First Class lounge has sit down dining, called The Haven. A lovely spot, but the menu is not as extensive as The Dining Room in the Pier lounge. There is more focus on the buffet. Notice the green creamy drink in the photo below? That’s a coconut/kiwi/mint combination called Cathay Delight. Another indulgence I usually partake in when visiting Cathay lounges…
One exclusive feature of The Wing First Class lounge is an area called The Cabanas. Being more of a fan of The Pier, I’ve never actually tried this out. The Cabanas are 5 private areas with a large bath and shower plus a day bed and a place to work. A wonderful spot for a long layover. The Cabanas often have a queue, so plan accordingly, and get on the list as soon as you arrive. If you don’t have time to wait for a cabana, there are other shower rooms available.
The Wing is a great lounge. It beats many other lounges worldwide by a long shot, but in my opinion, within Hong Kong airport, it sits second to The Pier. If you don’t want to take a chance on a massage, or a more extensive menu for a meal at the Pier, the Wing is a great option. The Cabanas are a unique feature, and a wonderful place to relax and spend time during a layover.
The Wing Business Class
Next door is the Wing Business Class lounge. Entry is one level below the First Class lounge, but lounges are next to each other. Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounges are accessible to Oneworld business class passengers and Oneworld Sapphire members before departure. Note that only those accessing lounges as a status benefit can bring a guest.The Wing has the same feature of most other Cathay Lounges with a Noodle Bar. Note, this is accessible from the First Class Lounge as well, if you need your fix while in the other side. Need to freshen up? This side of The Wing has 23 shower rooms available to guests.
Like the First Class side next door, a nice feature of the location of the Wing lounge is the expansive views of the departure hall and the tarmac beyond. One place to enjoy that is the Long Bar. A wide selection of drinks, and lovely views make this a prime place within the lounge.
This is a nice spot, and easy access to departures from low numbered gates. Of the business class offerings, this probably has the best view, if that is important to you, and everyone has to pass close by the entrance when departing Hong Kong.
The Deck
The Newest Cathay Pacific Lounge in Hong Kong is the Deck. Located upstairs, nearest gate 16, a right turn after entering the departure hall, near the Qantas Lounge. An alternative to the Wing, closest to those using the north security checkpoint, although that is the opposite side from Cathay check in.
This lounge has all the features typical of Cathay Lounges, a noodle bar, eight shower rooms and a modern design that feels like a fancy home. I enjoyed a cheeky video that Cathay Pacific created to introduce this lounge. “Make Time for The Deck”. I can certainly relate.
Features wise, I don’t think there is a huge difference between The Deck and the business side of The Wing. Either lounge is a good choice for flights departing out of gates 30 or lower, as the distance is the same.
The Bridge
Moving away from the check in area, the next lounge is either a long walk or a train ride away, where the terminal splits into a Y. One floor above the departure level is The Bridge, nearest gate 35. Another Business Class lounge, this lounge is about a centrally located as any in the departure area.
Upon entry, this lounge is split into 2 areas. Turn right for the Bakery and The Long Bar. Left points to the Coffee Loft, some food and 9 shower rooms. Unlike most other Cathay lounges, there is no noodle bar here. There are some unique features of this lounge, including the Bakery with freshly made breads and pizza.
The Bridge looks very nice, but for flights departing gate 30 or higher, I’d probably just continue towards The Pier. The Bridge is the closest lounge to gate 30-50.
The Pier First Class Lounge
The Pier First Class lounge is near gate 63, a very long walk or a train ride and a walk from check in and security. Notice the map above, the Pier is near the Y-split in the terminal. This lounge is a few minutes from the end of the train and the entrance to The Bridge. The lounge is one floor below departure level. In 2016, the Pier finished renovation, and the new look is lovely. For a full review of this lounge, check out Scott’s review of The Pier First Class Lounge.
The Retreat
The Pier lounge has a few unique features. A personal favorite is The Retreat, which consists of day suites, showers and a massage room. All are bookable. There are lots of shower rooms, and I’ve never had a wait. Day suites are a bit more difficult to come by, with 8 rooms available. But unless the lounge is packed, it shouldn’t be an issue. As for massage, there are 3 seats, but one or at most 2 are in use at a time. I am typically quoted 2-3 hour waits for a massage. It can be less, but to get a massage, plan to get to the lounge several hours before your flight and hope for the best. The services are 10 minutes long, either a foot massage, a scalp, neck and shoulder massage, or a foot soak and hand treatment.
Day Suites: A place to work in peace, relax or nap. Tarmac views, or close the shades for full darkness.
Finally, the shower rooms are great, with high pressure, nice marble tile floor and ceiling, and excellent Aesop products. Each shower room has a toilet, sink, and room to change clothes after freshening up.
Dining options in the Pier
The Dining Room is a sit down restaurant. Not an inventive name, but there is an extensive menu and a full bar.
Here are some meals I’ve had here.
A favorite item for me in most Cathay Lounges is the dandan mien. A spicy noodle dish with peanuts. It’s a Szechuan dish, rather than Cantonese, but I love Cathay’s take on it.
Besides The Dining Room, The Pantry is an option for grab and go food. The selections there change over the course of the day, but is a nice option for those not wanting a full sit-down meal.
Unless my flight is in one of the very low numbered gates closest to the security area, or I’m short on time, I almost always opt to visit The Pier. It is a lovely spot, and worth some extra time if you have it to spare before departure in Hong Kong.
The Pier Business Class
Thanks to my Emerald status, allowing me access to Oneworld First Class lounges, I haven’t visited business class side of the Pier lounge in some time. Click here for Rocky’s full review of the Pier Business Class Lounge from before renovation. This lounge is one floor below departure level, just past the First Class lounge close to gate 65 at HKIA.
The Business Class lounge is larger than the First Class version next door, since many more travelers that are likely to have access. It is in fact, the largest Cathay Pacific lounge, globally, at over 35,000 square feet. Still, many of the features shared with its more exclusive sister lounge. A Noodle Bar is a fixture in most Cathay Pacific lounges, and the version in the Pier is nice and spacious, with various noodle options, plus some dim sum and more. The Noodle Bar offers made to order food, and there are many other self-serve dining options in the lounge.
There is also a Teahouse in this lounge. I drink way more tea than coffee, so maybe I should check this out on my next trip through Hong Kong. The Pier has 14 showers rooms available, also with Aesop products.
Final Thoughts
There are countless nice lounge options for Cathay Pacific or Oneworld flyers in Hong Kong. Qantas also has a nice lounge near the Wing. If it wasn’t obvious by the photos and commentary, I’m a fan of The Pier, and almost always go directly there before flights in Hong Kong. I prefer the dining and massage options there.
In any case, If you have First Class lounge access, go there, and if not, the business lounges are excellent as well. The Pier feels more exclusive, but is far away from some gates. If you have time and want to chill in a Cabana, the Wing is a better choice. Bottom line, it’s great to have so many good options.
