For several years Cathay Pacific has operated a landside arrivals lounge in Hong Kong. The lounge is located between Terminals 1 & 2, and it’s called “The Arrival.” The lounge is open daily from 5AM until 12AM, so it’s not intended solely for those landing in the morning, but rather is available all day.
The lounge has been open to first and business class passengers, Marco Polo Club Gold and Diamond members, and oneworld Emerald members.
It’s interesting that the airline never added any eligibility requirements in terms of the routes you need to fly in order to use it. In other words, you could use it whether you just got off the 16 hour flight from New York, or the one hour flight from Taipei.
I’ve only used the lounge a couple of times, and didn’t find it to be very exciting. It’s like a dungeon, as it doesn’t have any windows or natural light. The lounge has a limited buffet, so the only real reason to use the lounge is because of the shower suites, should you want to freshen up before heading into the city.
Well, unfortunately it looks like this lounge will be closing. Cathay Pacific’s Hong Kong arrivals lounge will be closing as of November 5, 2018. The facility will be returned to the lessor as part of the terminal redevelopment project.
Cathay Pacific isn’t offering an alternative for passengers. Interestingly there’s a Plaza Premium Lounge located right across from Cathay Pacific’s arrivals lounge, which is accessible with a Priority Pass membership.
Bottom line
On one hand it’s disappointing to see an airline with this many longhaul flights eliminate an arrivals lounge. At the same time, I never really enjoyed the lounge much, so personally I don’t view it as much of a loss. Furthermore, if you really want an arrivals lounge there’s a Plaza Premium Lounge right across the way.
Overall I have nothing but positive things to say about Cathay Pacific’s Hong Kong lounges, as they’re mostly excellent.
Are you sad to see Cathay Pacific eliminate the arrivals lounge?
(Tip of the hat to LoyaltyLobby)
Lucky - The landside Plaza Premium lounge at HKG T2 is no longer open. I guess that means no place to freshen up upon arrival early in the morning now?
Man, this is a big loss in my book, specifically for the luggage storage. I just used it a couple days ago, for the second time this month. Anyone know if Plaza Premium offers luggage storage?
@ vand. Plenty of O/W Emeralds flying Y (cursory check of bag tags on luggage lying everywhere) . From other airlines too. I know they can, before you jump in and tell me, but it contributed to the vibe of a zoo. I was also told you can pay to get in, no matter who you are.
@glenn t curious what you meant with indiscriminate entry policies?
It was always pretty clear to me:
- OW emerald
- from a Cathay flight only
- no guests
This makes me sad, it was the perfect place to grab a cappuccino before leaving and they had decent made to order food.
I also thought it was very cozy feeling, especially at the bar area. It didn't feel like you were at an airport
Definitely a sad one - always appreciated the shower and a bite to eat before moving onwards, but I just moved back to HK so as a resident, less useful now maybe.
I had just reached MP Gold status and used it last week for the first time last week, while not phenomenal, it definitely was a great place to relax for a while or maybe have a meal after a flight, I hope CX may somehow come up with a alternative, cause it's quite a shame to see it go (although i see why others disagree).
Those who use this sad lounge as a temporary luggage storage facility (it is hopelessly cluttered with luggage) should know there is a far more secure dedicated luggage storage, for a small fee, nearby.
Having come off a F FRA-HKG flight recently, the Arrivals Lounge was the biggest letdown ever! A total waste of time. Dark, crowded, airless and tired looking, with indiscriminate entry policies, it is something to be avoided. An hour wait for a shower, with nothing to do in the meantime, and not the least bit hungry, seemed pointless, so I took my chances and headed off to my hotel in Kowloon. Despite an early arrival...
Having come off a F FRA-HKG flight recently, the Arrivals Lounge was the biggest letdown ever! A total waste of time. Dark, crowded, airless and tired looking, with indiscriminate entry policies, it is something to be avoided. An hour wait for a shower, with nothing to do in the meantime, and not the least bit hungry, seemed pointless, so I took my chances and headed off to my hotel in Kowloon. Despite an early arrival my room was available in 30 minutes, allowing me the sumptuous relaxation (with daylight) the Lounge had no hope of providing.
So, I say good riddance to the Arrivals Lounge. It is an embarrassment for Cathay.
If I'm not mistaken, HKG (and TPE, among others) has free shower rooms available for all passengers pre immigration. Should have looked into that, as when I flew into HKG from EWR (5 am arrival) I had to wait almost an hour in this (tiny) lounge to get a shower.
Overall not going to miss this lounge. Would rather hop right on the airport express and spend the HK$30 for comparable food at 7/11 in the city.
I won’t miss this lounge... I visited once and would have never been back again! A massive disappointment.
Very sad to see it go. I hope they can come up with some sort of replacement when the T2 renovations are finished.
I usually arrive in HKG on an early flight, have a shower, get them to press my shirt, and head straight for the office. Not sure that's really feasible anymore. I do have a limited number of Priority Pass visits which I could use on the Plaza Premium Arrivals Lounge, but I'm...
Very sad to see it go. I hope they can come up with some sort of replacement when the T2 renovations are finished.
I usually arrive in HKG on an early flight, have a shower, get them to press my shirt, and head straight for the office. Not sure that's really feasible anymore. I do have a limited number of Priority Pass visits which I could use on the Plaza Premium Arrivals Lounge, but I'm not even sure if they will press a shirt?
Basically this means I have to fly in the evening before and costs me a few extra hours I could be spending at home with my family.
Disappointing. But @Ed Re shower ventilation nothing I've experienced is as awful as the shower rooms in emirates first lounge at dxb . Awful, hate them.
I’ll echo everyone saying it’s a shame it’s going, a great place to store luggage and get a shower, although like many lounges the shower ventilation was inadequate.
Sad , was a good shower and drink after a long flight.
It was a Dog of a lounge let’s be honest worst on the circuit next to HA’s offering HNL.. Big-Meh .. :-)
It’s a shame, but unlike the US Big 3, I actually trust that Cathay will reduce the resources to something else passengers might want at Hong Kong.
Indeed, Terminal 2 will close in 2019 for 4 years
The expansion on the north side of terminal 1 is due to open next year before t2 closes. and will include 40 new check in counters I assume L and M since the current checkin islands are A - K
Are arrivals lounges still much of a thing?
Air Canada got rid of theirs at Heathrow when they moved to the new terminal... My understanding of arrivals lounges is that they were always mainly meant for a quick shower and bite to eat after an over-night flight so you could head straight to the office and get some work done even after flying in from a long-haul flight.
Meh. Hot, small and overcrowded. No big loss.
Worth mentioning it's part of the mega expansion that includes revamp of that area in preparation for Hong Kong International Airport Master Plan 2030
It's always sad to see less lounge options. The priority pass accessible lounges at this airport have been much busier recently.
Hi Ben,
The lounge is closing because the whole Terminal 2 will be closed for reconstruction. Eventually the premium plaza arrival lounge will close as well. You will notice sooner all the check in counters in Terminal 2 will be also moved back to Terminal 1.
They would let you store your luggage there if you wanted to hop into Hong Kong for a few hours.
@Kate no. If you're connecting, head towards transfer security when you get off your flight and you'll b e back airside on the departures level where you can get into any CX lounge
So if you are connecting to another Cathay business flight does this affect lounge access?
Noooo...I am sad to this lounge go. It was indeed a nice facility to use especially after a long haul flight with a long connection and you want to pop into the city or outside for the few hours - grab a shower , a small bite and best was that you can leave your bags there and collect it on your way back to the terminal without storage charges.
Hopefully CX will find an alternative but I doubt with all the cost cutting going on at the airline.
Cheers!
This is sad- although nothing special, it was still nice to grab a bite and shower.
Sad cos I am flying to HKG in Cathay biz for the first time in December and I was kind of looking forward to trying it out. Guess I'll have to go for the plaza premium lounge with my priority pass (shame cos mine's just a basic membership so I have to pay the guest visit fee)
Are you going to Tapiei Pride this weekend?
Sad!