Cathay Pacific is embarking on an ambitious initiative to revamp the loungescape at its Hong Kong hub, aiming to establish a family of “next generation flagship lounges.” This multi-year, multi-million-dollar project will unfold in three phases, as outlined by Cathay Pacific’s General Manager for Customer Experience & Design, Vivian Lo.
Lo describes the endeavor as part of a “holistic plan” to create the next generation of flagship lounges for Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong. A key component of this transformation is a comprehensive renovation of The Wing lounges, located at the top of Terminal 1, which have historically served as the airline’s flagship lounges until the striking upgrades to The Pier lounges in 2015-2016, designed by renowned UK designer Ilse Crawford. Now, The Wing is set to reclaim its status.
Lo assures that the redesigned First lounge will be impressive, though she urges patience as the renovations will be implemented step by step.
The roadmap includes the return of The Bridge, currently being refreshed with furniture and design elements that echo The Pier’s style. Originally opened in October 2013, The Bridge is situated adjacent to Gates 35-36 at the end of Terminal 1, where passengers arrive from the Automated People Mover train before the terminal separates into two piers. After closing in April 2020 due to the pandemic and later announcing its permanent closure in August 2021, The Bridge, with its 2,560m² space and capacity for 450 guests, will now be reopening around mid-2025. This timing is strategic, as The Wing First will be closed for renovation shortly afterward.
Lo confirmed that the renovations will be sequenced to ensure there is sufficient capacity for passengers as The Wing undergoes its makeover. Although The Bridge is less conveniently located than The Wing, which is just after immigration, it offers a familiar and comfortable environment that many travelers may prefer.
Visitors to The Bridge can expect familiar furniture layouts and a similar aesthetic to Cathay’s newly updated lounges, aiming to maintain the original cozy atmosphere with plenty of natural light flowing through large windows. The northern section of The Bridge will feature a dining area with freshly baked goods, Asian and Western dishes, while the southern section will include a self-serve bistro, a Coffee Loft café, shower suites, and a business area.
As The Wing First prepares for renovations, it will stay open during the first half of 2025 while plans are solidified. The design of The Wing will be aligned with the refreshed aesthetic of The Pier, ensuring consistency across all Hong Kong lounges. Cathay Pacific executives have emphasized that their lounges are signature offerings, with improvements to both The Wing First and The Wing Business planned over a two-year period.
It is hoped that key features of The Wing First, such as the Champagne Lounge and private Cabana Suites, will be preserved during the redesign. Lo aims to have The Wing First ready for reopening by mid-2026. Following that, The Wing Business will close for refurbishment until mid-2027, with The Bridge serving as a temporary lounge for business class passengers and select frequent flyers during the transition.
This renovation forms part of Cathay Pacific’s commitment to unveil three “newly-designed flagship lounges over the next three years,” with the other locations set to be Beijing in late 2025 and New York in early 2026.
