This week, Cathay Pacific is reopening a lounge that was “permanently” closed several years back…
In this post:
The Bridge Lounge returns to Hong Kong as of May 2025
Executive Traveller reports that Cathay Pacific is reopening The Bridge Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) as of 5PM on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
For context, this lounge first opened back in 2013. Then it closed in 2020, at the start of the pandemic, when demand for travel to and from Hong Kong collapsed. Then in 2021, the airline announced it would permanently close this lounge. Well, the airline has had a change of heart, as it will once again be welcoming guests.
This 27,000+ square foot lounge is located near gate 35, and will add some much needed lounge capacity over the next few years.
Currently Cathay Pacific’s primary pair of lounges in Hong Kong are The Pier and The Wing, with each having both a first class and business class section. The Bridge was the next biggest lounge, and it was a shared space, following standard oneworld lounge access rules.
The Bridge has both a north and south wing, extending from the central reception area. Back in the day, the north portion of the lounge featured The Bakery, with freshly baked bread and pizzas, as well as sandwiches, pastries, Asian and Western soups, and fresh salads. It also had the Long Bar, along with a television lounge and general seating area.
Meanwhile the south portion of the lounge featured The Bistro, a self-service area with Asian and Western hot dishes, and cold food selections, including desserts and salads. There was also the Coffee Loft, serving freshly brewed coffee and specialty tea, along with pastries, cookies, and more. The nine shower suites were also in this portion of the lounge.
Below are some pictures of The Bridge from back when it opened in 2013 (ugh, I miss those Cathay Pacific 747-400s, and plentiful award availability in first class… those were the days!!!).
The timing of the lounge reopening is no coincidence
Cathay Pacific is reopening The Bridge at the same time that The Wing is expected to undergo a major refresh, and once again become the carrier’s flagship lounge. That project is expected to last from the middle of 2025 until 2027, and we’ll see the first class section closed first, followed by the business class section going under the knife. Specifically, The Wing First Class Lounge is expected to close on May 23, 2025.
So The Bridge will add some lounge capacity when the airline most needs it. It’s not yet clear if The Bridge is reopening as a temporary solution during the renovation, or if it sticks around in the long run. I would speculate that it will stay open in the long run, barring any major downturn in demand. After all, Cathay Pacific has some decent growth plans.
While The Bridge used to be a shared space for all passengers eligible for access, that’s changing with it reopening. The lounge will have a dedicated dining area for first class passengers and oneworld Emerald members. After all, that provides a replacement for The Wing First Class Lounge that’s being closed.
Bottom line
As of May 7, 2025, Cathay Pacific is reopening The Bridge Hong Kong. The lounge opened over a decade ago, but was closed in 2020, and the plan was for that closure to be permanent. However, the airline is now backtracking, as it prepares to close The Wing, in order to renovate it.
I’m impressed that Cathay Pacific has a plan to address the lounge capacity shortage that will exist while The Wing is renovated. Updating airport lounges can be complicated, and it’s nice that Cathay Pacific has this “lever” to pull.
What do you make of Cathay Pacific reopening The Bridge?
In the past, at the Bridge reception area; i can never decide whether to go 'left' or 'right'. I never remember which side has which amenities. When it reopens, I'll need to make another decision, if I should just walk a bit more and go to the Pier. The Pier was the lounge I prefer (Over the Wing and the Deck) I would always have a relaxed, plane-spotting walk to the Pier, even with my...
In the past, at the Bridge reception area; i can never decide whether to go 'left' or 'right'. I never remember which side has which amenities. When it reopens, I'll need to make another decision, if I should just walk a bit more and go to the Pier. The Pier was the lounge I prefer (Over the Wing and the Deck) I would always have a relaxed, plane-spotting walk to the Pier, even with my flight departing from the single digit gates. With the reopening of the Bridge; Cathay/OneWold lounge choices will be plentiful, all with very different 'moods' and amenities. So will be very confusing to decide which one to go to.
Get there early and spend time at all of the above ;) great problem to have!
Correction:
The Bridge Temporary First Class Area will NOT be for OneWorld Emerald members. It will be exclusively for Cathay's own Diamond/Diamond Plus members, and customers flying First Class.
Per Cathay's e-mail:
(https) i.imgur (dot) com/fqbHgoQ.jpeg
@ David -- Interesting. I can't help but wonder if the email just mentions Diamond members since it was going out to Cathay Pacific members. After all, historically Cathay Pacific has never differentiated between its own Diamond members and oneworld Emerald members when it comes to lounge access. As it's written, you're absolutely right... let's see what firsthand reports reveal.
It's a email sent to Cathay members only, but I suspect the website will be updated promptly on the 7th. It was also heavily implied with the Cathay surveys they were sending out.
The Deck will become the "other" First Class lounge for OW Emeralds/Cathay Diamonds/F passengers, and it opens on the 21st (right before Wing closes on the 23rd), so OW Emeralds aren't losing a lounge, just Cathay's own elites gaining one.
Unfortunately...
It's a email sent to Cathay members only, but I suspect the website will be updated promptly on the 7th. It was also heavily implied with the Cathay surveys they were sending out.
The Deck will become the "other" First Class lounge for OW Emeralds/Cathay Diamonds/F passengers, and it opens on the 21st (right before Wing closes on the 23rd), so OW Emeralds aren't losing a lounge, just Cathay's own elites gaining one.
Unfortunately (or fortunately, for Cathay's own members) this is just following a trend BA and American Airlines have long started (First Dining, Concorde Room etc).
Ben, your comment may not be totally correct. Currently at The Pier F, Cathay is giving F and Diamond passengers (only) the right to book massages in advance (but not OWE). Although technically this isn't lounge "access", it's at least a lounge perk so to spreak, that is available to F/DM but not OWE. To a similar extent we see the rules for free wifi on board (J/F/DM). Obviously onboard wifi is a farther leap...
Ben, your comment may not be totally correct. Currently at The Pier F, Cathay is giving F and Diamond passengers (only) the right to book massages in advance (but not OWE). Although technically this isn't lounge "access", it's at least a lounge perk so to spreak, that is available to F/DM but not OWE. To a similar extent we see the rules for free wifi on board (J/F/DM). Obviously onboard wifi is a farther leap than lounge perks but it is worth pointing out this isn't totally the first time and may even be part of a trend.
We'll have to see.
Nowhere near as nice as The Pier nor is it as extensive, but as I recall from my flights in 2018 and 2019, a lot of the US bound flights, specifically JFK, would depart from gates across from this lounge, making The Pier a longer walk.
Have a sit-down meal and a massage at The Pier, then plane watch with a cocktail at The Bridge for a bit before your flight.
This is great news. Always liked the lounge.
Ooh, I'll be flying through HKG on Cathay in January, so I'll have to stop by. Any word on hours of operation? I have an 8:15am flight, so I'll probably only have time for a quick peek.
@ Jesse13927 -- All the carrier's lounges are open from at least 5:30AM until 12:30AM, so I imagine that'll be the case here as well. Enjoy your trip!