Over the past several years Cathay Pacific has been revamping their lounges at Hong Kong International Airport. While Cathay Pacific has over a handful of lounges at their home airport, they’ve been renovating them one at a time, as you’d expect, in order to minimize the disruption on passengers.
Cathay Pacific’s new lounge design is stunning, in my opinion, so I’m thrilled when they open new lounges.
Cathay Pacific The Pier First Class Lounge Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific has just revealed the opening date for their next new lounge at Hong Kong International Airport. Cathay Pacific closed the G16 Lounge in mid-2016. This was technically the Dragonair Lounge (one of Cathay Pacific’s subsidiaries, now known as Cathay Dragon), though in reality it could be used by both Cathay Pacific and Dragonair passengers.
This was by far Cathay Pacific’s weakest lounge at their hub.
Cathay Pacific’s G16 Lounge will be reopening as The Deck on March 22, 2018. As you’d expect based on the lounge’s old name, the lounge is located in Terminal 1 near Gate 16, and it will feature Cathay Pacific’s signature new lounge design, emulating a contemporary living room.
The Deck will feature seating for 180 guests, and will be 823 square meters (~9,000 square feet). Here’s how Cathay Pacific describes some of the features of the lounge:
The Noodle Bar
Like our other lounges, the dining experience is at the heart of The Deck, with the Main Lounge providing a range of self-service, freshly made international offerings. Not to be missed at The Deck is The Noodle Bar – an iconic favourite among Cathay Pacific customers.Passengers who yearn for a taste of Hong Kong can choose from a selection of local classics, including wonton noodles in a hearty broth, fish ball noodles and a variety of dim sum and buns. Ready-to-order Asian delights, such as dan dan noodles and Japanese-style vegetarian noodles, are also available.
The Terrace
The Deck is distinct from Cathay Pacific’s other lounges at its home in Hong Kong for the fact that it sits on a balcony on the eastern side of the terminal building.From The Terrace, an open-ceiling L-shaped verandah featuring both table and individual seating, lounge visitors can take in panoramic views of the airport’s apron, taxi-ways and northern runway whilst enjoying their choice from a wide variety of drinks and dining options.
The lounge is further equipped with a relaxation room zone featuring bespoke Solo chairs, as well as eight shower suites, washroom facilities and a range of comfortable seating throughout.
The Deck doesn’t have a separate first class section, so it will be accessible by all oneworld first and business class passengers, Cathay Dragon first and business class passengers, as well as oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members. So if you’re a first class passenger or oneworld Emerald member, you’ll be better off using The Pier First Class Lounge or The Wing First Class Lounge.
Here are some pictures Cathay Pacific has provided of The Deck:
Cathay Pacific The Deck Business Class Lounge Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific The Deck Business Class Lounge Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific The Deck Business Class Lounge Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific The Deck Business Class Lounge Hong Kong
Just as a point of comparison, here’s what the G16 Lounge looked like before it was renovated:
Former Cathay Pacific G16 Lounge Hong Kong
Former Cathay Pacific G16 Lounge Hong Kong
What an incredible transformation!
Next up, Cathay Pacific will be closing The Cabin Lounge on April 30, 2018, though that lounge will be closing permanently.
I have to give Cathay Pacific a ton of credit for the quality of their lounges around the world, as they’ve really been doing a great job.
(Tip of the hat to Grzegorz)
Too bad about the Cabin - I liked the aesthetic though it lacks the natural light of many of the other lounges as well as the views
Business lounges are better if you're in a rush too because you can quickly grab from the buffet. Pier First dining can be quite 'leisurely'...but of course still a lovely lounge.
@The Nice Paul
In Pier Business they have a nice coffee cart where a barista can make a coffee for you. Also the business side of the Cathay lounge at LHR can make a nice coffee behind the bar.
Thanks for the replies. The coffee would swing the choice for me.
Yeah food in the first lounges seems cool because you order from a menu in a restaurant setting. But almost everything on the menu is actually terrible so you're better off in a business lounge anyway for food. First lounges are good for chilling out with girlfriend/wife in a private room.
The First Lounges dont have necessarily better facilities though and the business lounges are exceptionally good still.
I noticed they only had egg tarts in the business lounges (The Bridge?), and mostly the First Class lounges dont do barista-made coffees?
@Paul - The first lounges are less crowded and have excellent a la carte dining.
Sadly (if I am anywhere in the region) I end up basing many of my return flights out of HKG just so that I can fly CX in F and use the lounges. I really need to find another airport to mix things up.
@The nice Paul, IMO The Pier First is better.
@Lucky any comments on the switching of lounge catering provider to Sodexo?
The Cabin won't be closed for refurbishment, it will be closed altogether.
@ Lam -- Thanks for the heads up, post updated.
“if you’re a first class passenger or oneworld Emerald member, you’ll be better off using The Pier First Class Lounge or The Wing First Class Lounge.”
I’m curious: why are they better?