Cathay Pacific will reopen its newly redesigned flagship lounge, The Wing, First, at Hong Kong International Airport on 22 April, marking what the Hong Kong-based carrier is calling a new chapter in the evolution of its signature ground product.
Located on the east side of Terminal 1, The Wing, First has been a cornerstone of Cathay’s premium offering since HKIA opened its doors in 1998. The refreshed lounge sits at the centre of a broader enhancement programme that will also deliver the airline’s first dedicated lounge in New York later this year and a full refurbishment of its sister lounge, The Wing, Business, which is shortly to close with a reopening pencilled in for 2027.
Cathay has continued its long-running collaboration with London-based design firm StudioIlse on the redesign, which introduces a more residential feel while retaining the pared-back aesthetic familiar to regular users. Iconic green onyx still anchors the space, but walnut has been brought in as the principal timber, and granite has been used on the flooring for the first time, a nod, the airline says, to traditional Chinese architecture. A bespoke collection of signature furniture and lighting, designed exclusively for Cathay’s lounges, has also made its debut.
Speaking at the unveiling, Cathay Group chief executive Ronald Lam said: “The Wing, First has long held a special place in not only our hearts, but also our customers’. Its reopening marks an important milestone in the evolution of our flagship lounge design and reflects our long-standing commitment to putting people at the heart of everything we do.”
Mr Lam pointed to the airline’s commitment of “well over HK$100 billion” (approximately £10 billion) of investment into fleet, cabin, lounge and digital innovation, adding that the carrier intends to continue “elevating the journey at every touchpoint” as it pursues its ambition of becoming its customers’ most loved service brand.
At the heart of the reimagined lounge sits the Atrium, a light-filled space anchored by Cathay’s signature green onyx bar and a substantially expanded Pantry offering self-service bites that change throughout the day. The menu evolves from wellness-led breakfast options through afternoon tea to a bistro-style evening service, giving passengers the flexibility to treat the space as café, lounge or restaurant depending on how long they have before boarding.
For those wanting a more formal experience, the Dining Room returns with full à la carte table service and a refreshed menu of Asian and international classics. Regional Chinese dishes developed in partnership with Hong Kong restaurant group Mott 32 sit alongside signature favourites and monthly specials, underscoring the carrier’s continued emphasis on culinary credentials.
Wellness has been given fresh prominence. The Retreat, a concept first rolled out at The Pier, First, now arrives at The Wing, with seven private booths offering foot or neck and shoulder massages. A reimagined shower suite experience adds adjustable water and lighting technology that can be set to cleanse, refresh or relax modes, while a new zone called the Alcove provides five multipurpose booths with compact tables and charging points for lighter dining, reading or catching up on emails.
For travelling executives in need of proper focus, The Bureau debuts as a fully enclosed workspace for private calls or small meetings. Two lighting modes, Engaged and Focused, allow users to adapt the space to their preferred way of working, a recognition, perhaps, that Cathay’s long-haul corporate passengers are increasingly treating the lounge as an extension of the office rather than a waiting room.
The reopening continues a steady cadence of lounge investment from the carrier, which has already relaunched The Bridge in Hong Kong and the Cathay Pacific Lounge in Beijing following extensive redesigns. Attention will shortly turn to New York, where Cathay will open its first-ever dedicated lounge when it moves into John F. Kennedy International Airport’s new Terminal 6 later in 2026.