OneWorld Asian Adventure, Part Five: Visit to "The Wing" and HKG-MNL on Cathay Pacific

"As he said it, “shed-jewel,” which I believe is a pretty common pronunciation for Brits (correct me if I’m wrong, please)"

Correct, that's how it should be pronounced if one is speaking English! 😉

Excellent, Lewis! Even if everyone here looks at me weird, that's how I'm saying it from now on. 😀 I wish we'd speak real English in the US....

Good read, thanks for writing. I am surprised that you didn't research the layout of the airport in advance. The entrance to the First Class section of The Wing is right after and on the same level as the South security search area. You actually used the Business Class entrance. I sometimes use The Pier which, due to its location, is usually less crowded. You are right that first impressions of the First Class section can be disappointing, it can be crowded and lacks opulence, but it is functional and offers almost everything I need. The Business Class section is definitely better than its competitors.

Nice report Ben. I always enjoy reading about alliance lounges.
I'll be checking out biz lounges this fall at ICN and HKG with Star.

Thanks for the comments, John and Dan.

John, while I would do some research if I had never been to the airport before, I've been to HKG probably a dozen times before. I figured as a first class passenger they'd provide an adequate description of where the lounge is located, but I guess I should have looked into it myself.

That makes sense with the entrance. I hadn't realized I was using the business class entrance, but it makes sense now.

The amenities at The Wing and The Pier are pretty good - not quite up there with the Lufthansa First Class Terminal and lounges at Frankfurt but not far behind.

The annoying bit as you discovered is the separation between first and business in The Wing is subtle. It is easy to end up in business class lounge by mistake if you don't know.

Sounds like you were unlucky to be there when it was busy. I've been there with just a handful of passengers (as well as half full at other times) and it has been great.

Another great report. Excellent pictures.

Just an FYI, for your next visit to the first class dining rooms of The Wing or The Pier, even though there is a buffet, you can ask the kitchen for something made-to-order. They will try to fulfill your special request. For example, for breakfast, I've asked for a plate of smoked salmon and an omelette and both were prepared nicely. Also, you can request the same noodles as the serve in The Noodle Bar in the business class side of the lounges.

Regarding the pronunciation of "schedule," it is indeed pronounced differently in most Anglophone countries (although I am familiar with 'shed-ule', not 'shed-jewel').

The value-added of this response, however, is to say that on a London and Dubai trip last week I, too, found myself strangely enchanted by the very alluring, elegant pronunciation of that very same word. In addition, I like these countries' way of saying "weekend", done with a very pronounced emphasis on the second syllable.

This discussion, by the way, seems almost as though it were from the movie "The Importance of Being Earnest." I highly recommend it!