Cathay Pacific’s The Bridge lounge in Hong Kong, which was temporarily closed and subsequently “permanently” shut down during the pandemic, is set to make a comeback.
The lounge has been revitalized with new furniture and design elements characteristic of Cathay’s current lounge aesthetic, already implemented in locations like The Pier and The Deck in Hong Kong, as well as in several international lounges. The Bridge is anticipated to reopen its doors by the end of this year.
The reopening of The Bridge coincides with the closure of the flagship The Wing lounges, which are undergoing a major renovation expected to be completed by 2027.
“We are dedicated to offering you a premium lounge experience while The Wing is being renovated,” stated Cathay Pacific.
The Wing First Lounge is set to close towards the end of this year, as previously mentioned by Cathay Pacific’s Chief Customer & Commercial Officer, Lavinia Lau, to Executive Traveller, with plans for a reopening targeted for “late 2025 or early 2026.”
Following the completion of The Wing First, “we will gradually refresh The Wing Business lounge starting in 2026,” Lau added.
The reopening of The Bridge aims to assist frequent travelers who will find themselves without a lounge for at least the next three years as the First and Business lounges within The Wing undergo their extensive multi-million dollar renovations.
The overhaul is expected to bring The Wing in line with The Pier, transforming it to reflect Cathay’s sophisticated lounge aesthetic created by renowned London designer Ilse Crawford and her StudioIlse team.
It remains uncertain whether The Bridge will act solely as a temporary solution during the period without The Wing or if it will stay open indefinitely.
Cathay Pacific initially closed The Bridge in April 2020 due to the pandemic and announced in August 2021 that the lounge would be permanently shut down.
While the reopening of The Bridge will undoubtedly bring some joy to Cathay Pacific and Oneworld travelers, it is still unclear how it will integrate with The Wing and The Pier regarding passenger access.
For instance, will it serve as a first-class lounge temporarily and later transition to a business-class lounge during different phases of The Wing’s closure, or will The Bridge operate as a single ‘premium lounge’ catering to all eligible passengers?
First opened in October 2013, The Bridge is located near Gates 35-36 at the end of the main corridor of Terminal 1, just as travelers arrive from the Automated People Mover train and before the terminal divides into two ‘piers’.
Clearly, The Bridge’s location is less convenient compared to The Wing, which is situated at the top of the terminal immediately after travelers pass through immigration. As a result, many lounge-savvy flyers may prefer to walk an additional five minutes to enjoy the comfort and familiarity of The Pier lounges located around gates 67-80.
Designed with two ‘wings’ extending from a stylish reception area featuring an Italian Carrera marble bench and a backlit wall, The Bridge covers an extensive area of 2,560m² and can accommodate up to 450 passengers—making it roughly the same size as The Wing Business Class lounge.
