- Introduction: Around The World (And Then Some) In 5 Days
- Review: United Polaris Lounge Newark Airport
- Review: Austrian Business Class 767 Newark To Vienna
- Review: Moxy Vienna Airport
- Review: Austrian Business Lounge Vienna Airport
- Review: EgyptAir Business Class 737 Vienna To Cairo
- Review: Oman Air Business Class A330 Cairo To Muscat
- Review: Oman Air First Class Lounge Muscat Airport
- Review: Oman Air Business Class Lounge Muscat Airport
- Review: Oman Air First Class Service By Design
- Review: Oman Air First Class 787 Muscat To London
- Review: Air Belgium Lounge Charleroi Airport
- Review: Air Belgium Business Class A340 Charleroi To Hong Kong
- Review: SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Airport
- Review: Korean Air First Class A330 Hong Kong To Incheon
- Review: Korean Air First Class Lounge Incheon Airport
- Review: Korean Air First Class 787 Incheon To San Francisco
I arrived in Hong Kong at around 8:30AM, while my connecting flight to Seoul Incheon on Korean Air was departing at 12:15PM. I wasn’t able to check in online for my flight, so my first stop was the Korean Air transfer desk.
Unfortunately the desk wasn’t open when I got to the transfer area, so I had a seat and spent some time working on my laptop, which was easy enough since Wi-Fi at the airport is fast and free.
The Korean Air desk ended up opening at 9:30AM, and I was issued boarding passes all the way to San Francisco.
Hong Kong Airport transit desk
With boarding passes in hand I cleared transit security and headed towards the SkyTeam Lounge, which is what Korean Air uses at the airport. The lounge is located near gate 15, so it’s near the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge, not that far from the security checkpoint.
Hong Kong International Airport terminal
The SkyTeam Lounge is located one level below the main concourse, so you take an escalator down. In that sense (and only that sense) it reminded me a lot of Cathay Pacific’s Pier First Class Lounge.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong entrance
At the entrance I was welcomed and informed that there would be a boarding call for my flight.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong entrance
Across from the reception desk were a selection of magazines and newspapers.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong magazines & newspapers
The SkyTeam Lounge is about 11,500 square feet, so it’s a good size, but it was quite crowded, which isn’t too surprising, given how many passengers it serves.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong
There was a long corridor that went along the side of the lounge, which had benches that stretched the length of it, along with some tables.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong seating
The furniture itself was similar to the other SkyTeam lounges I’ve been to (including in London and Dubai), and consisted of swiveling chairs, chairs in rows facing one another, and some slightly more private chairs.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong seating
Overall I really didn’t like the lack of natural light in the lounge. There were only windows in the back corner of the lounge, and the blinds were down, so it made the lounge feel like a basement.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong seating
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong seating
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong seating
Also in the back of the lounge was a small business center with three iMacs.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong business center
Then the other main area of the lounge was a dining area with a bunch of tables, as well as some high-top seating.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong seating
There was a buffet setup with hot and cold options.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong buffet
This included croissants, pastries, cereal, chips, nuts, yogurt, veggies, rice, cheese, and even a pancake machine, similar to what you’d find in an Alaska Lounge.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong buffet
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong buffet
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong buffet
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong buffet
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong pancake machine
They even had a “create your favorite sandwich” area.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong buffet
Am I the only one who thinks this looks like a pretty sad setup for something that’s supposed to allow you to create your favorite sandwich? Like, more than one type of meat would be ideal, in my opinion.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong buffet
Then there were a few hot options as well.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong buffet
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong buffet
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong buffet
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong buffet
There was also a noodle bar, where you could order congee, Hong Kong style fish ball rice noodle soup, or a vegetarian noodle soup.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong noodle station
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong noodle station
Then there was a bar with self serve soft drinks, water, liquor, wine, and beer.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong drinks
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong drinks
There were also coffee machines.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong coffee machine
A few minutes after walking in I ran into Stefan from Rapid Travel Chai, and then a few minutes later I left the lounge, even though I had plenty of time to spare.
The lounge isn’t horrible, by any stretch of the imagination, though it did disappoint me. Hong Kong is probably one of the best airports in the world when it comes to lounges, and the SkyTeam Lounge simply isn’t great. I wasn’t hungry or thirsty, but rather just hated that the lounge felt like a dungeon. So I just headed up into the terminal and sat in an empty gate area for a while, where I had plenty of natural light and more room to myself.
Boarding was scheduled to start at 11:45AM at gate 24, so I arrived there around 11:30AM.
Hong Kong International Airport terminal
The plane was already there, and sure enough boarding started at exactly 11:45AM, as expected.
Korean Air A330 Hong Kong Airport
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong bottom line
This is probably my least favorite SkyTeam Lounge I’ve been to (the other two I’ve been to are in Dubai and London). The lounge was fairly crowded and felt like a dungeon to me.
I enjoyed sitting in the gate area more, given the amount of natural light. I wouldn’t go out of my way to spend much time here again, especially when Hong Kong has some of the best airport lounges in the world, (minus this one).
If you’ve visited the SkyTeam Lounge HKG, what was your experience like?
It's worth mentioning that this used to be the Qantas Business Class lounge when it first opened. Qantas decamped to the current location (the former BA lounge) only 2 years later - I guess they shared the view that open views are paramount.
From the pictures, the layout looks quite similar, but the decor is quite different.
@ Chub nice article and also found out that they also have this concept at Kuala Lumpur as well.
@ nice article and also found out that they also have this concept at Kuala Lumpur as well.
@chub thank you
The KAL lounge at LAX could be so much better. It needs a refurb. It’s fine but nothing special unlike the other lounges in the terminal
The new midfield concourse will have room for 2-4 lounges and an wondering which ones I also believe there’s space for a new lounge at the “ gateway “ which will be the access point between the main building and concourse.
The 2 delta skyclubs at LAX...
The KAL lounge at LAX could be so much better. It needs a refurb. It’s fine but nothing special unlike the other lounges in the terminal
The new midfield concourse will have room for 2-4 lounges and an wondering which ones I also believe there’s space for a new lounge at the “ gateway “ which will be the access point between the main building and concourse.
The 2 delta skyclubs at LAX are not good
So potentially with all the rebuilding and expansion LAX could host a top noch SkyTeam lounge. Let’s see
@Stanley
I’m not sure if this counts as a review in your book, but https://loungereview.com/lounges/plaza-premium-first-hkg/
Hong Kong is one of my favourite (if not favourite) airports to travel and even with no lounge it is still great. Apparently the Sky Team Sydney lounge is one of the better ones.
If you think this is bad then visit the amex lounge in SYD, at least in this dungeon the food looks edible and you may even get a seat.......
Skyteam is the junk alliance so you get the junk lounges.
For all you Star Alliance fans, I found the Thai Airways to be quite nice. It’s a huge lounge but partitioned all over so you can find a private alcove throughout. I still preferred the food at AmEx Centurion.
@Lucky I hope one of these days, I can have such an honor to bump into you at the AMEX Centurion Lounge, Plaza Premium Lounge or SkyTeam Lounge.
@Chub I am still deciding on whether I should pay to try out the new Plaza Premium Lounge First. I would have to wait on a full review and some comments on it. Hehe.
Hi Lucky,
I’m thinking of trying Saudia B787 business class out of Istanbul airport around the time of the move between the “old” and the “new” airport. Do you (or someone else who’s reading this) have any expierence with newly opened airports (like within the first few days) like this? It seems like a fun way to see two airports in one go without spending miles/cash on an additional trip. Thank you:)
Agree the Skyteam lounge falls below expectations, the new Plaza
Premium First class lounge is much better, I hope VS don't switch and direct us to the Skyteam offering!
I'm surprised that you think this is worse than the Skyteam KAL lounge at LAX - or else you forgot about that one! The buffet here at least looked expansive!
@ Mike -- The Korean Air Lounge LAX is operated by Korean Air, and while it's accessible by SkyTeam passengers, it's not a lounge run by SkyTeam. SkyTeam has lounges in London, Dubai, Vancouver, etc., but Los Angeles isn't one of their lounges.
@ happyprime23. If you only have hand baggage there is no reason at all Cathay cannot issue a boarding pass at the airside counters. It performs the same function as the landide check in with the same system and printers The agent performs the same entries
If you have separate tickets then cebu Pacific should not check bags to your final destination on CX. In that case you have to collect them and check...
@ happyprime23. If you only have hand baggage there is no reason at all Cathay cannot issue a boarding pass at the airside counters. It performs the same function as the landide check in with the same system and printers The agent performs the same entries
If you have separate tickets then cebu Pacific should not check bags to your final destination on CX. In that case you have to collect them and check in again However that’s pretty quick at HK although you have to take the train from the satellite.
If Cathay is refusing to issue a pass with hand luggage whilst airside I would ask them for explanation based on my comments above as they have no reason to refuse
Sorry airside transit*** desks
Ben there was an airside traffic desk for KE? Are the airside traffic desks @ HKG before you clear security again or after clearing security when coming off a flight on a different ticket? This process is more convenient in SIN where there is no security upon exiting the aircraft and only security upon entering the gate. Thanks!
Wait... the ingredients go *inside* the bread? I've been making my sandwiches wrong my entire life!
Aside from the rather paltry options at the sandwich bar, I found it amusing they felt the need to publish instructions on how to make a sandwich. I've been to several countries in Asia and have not found sandwich-making skills to be lacking in any of them.
Couldn't agree more, the dungeon feel is depressing. Plaza Premium is a great option...
Lucky, I’m curious what you needed to show at the Korean Air transit desk for them to issue boarding passes. I’ve landed in Hong Kong before on separate itineraries with the incoming on Cebu Pacific and the outgoing on Cathay. The CX transit desk said they don’t support issuing boarding passes if you arrive on another airline. So I had to enter Hong Kong and go to the ticket counter. Are there certain airlines/airports that...
Lucky, I’m curious what you needed to show at the Korean Air transit desk for them to issue boarding passes. I’ve landed in Hong Kong before on separate itineraries with the incoming on Cebu Pacific and the outgoing on Cathay. The CX transit desk said they don’t support issuing boarding passes if you arrive on another airline. So I had to enter Hong Kong and go to the ticket counter. Are there certain airlines/airports that we can’t expect to use a transit desk to get a boarding pass? My guess is this is related to low cost carriers but I can’t figure out why it would matter
I realize that’s not the subject of your post, but it would be nice to know how to take advantage of it
While I made an exhausting run to peek at the Centurion Lounge, my wife was wondering who the guy taking all the pictures in SkyTeam is. Fun to see you. Agree on the lounge as middling. She approves of the fish ball soup and the rice rolls.
@Stanley
Plaza Premium opened a new "Plaza Premium First" lounge in HKG, and based on the description and photos on loungereview(dot)com, I'll gladly pay the $25 as a PP member to get in.
Agreed that the lounge is not that good at all. I use this lounge frequently as I depart from HK quite often. Sometimes, I just rather use AMEX Centurion lounge instead. Not sure is SkyTeam lounge better than the Plaza premium lounge or just about the same...what do you all think?
@ Stanley -- Definitely think the Centurion Lounge is nicer. Haven't visited the new Plaza Premium First Lounge, but I imagine that's nicer than this. Am curious to check it out the next time I pass through Hong Kong.
Delta used to use the Virgin lounge, which was great. Then they switched to this one, which is depressing. I suppose it doesn't matter now as they're killing off the SEA-HKG flight.
I feel really sorry for the folks travelling from HKG airport with Sky team and/or Star Alliance Airlines. Oneworld airlines offers such a better experience overall with fantastic lounges. And you don't even need to buy a First class ticket (as I do each week) to enjoy them. The Pier Business or the Qantas lounges are decent enough
keitherson - got you but United Club is great option in HK. I’ve been to SkyTeam lounge many times and breakfast really sucks. Lunch and dinner options are a bit better and noodle bar helps it so much. They have Moet in the bar area however the lounge crew is too slow replacing empty bottle for a new one. The showers are okay too. It’s nothing bad but nothing good.
Generally I agree, but I find the Skyteam lounge still better than the *A options.. SQ lounge is an even darker cavern.