One of the standout moments of my two-week journey through Asia was flying Cathay Pacific First Class from Hong Kong to New York JFK, and part of the thrill of the trip was being able to visit the newly inaugurated The Wing First Lounge at HKG.
I made it a priority to arrive at the airport early for my 9:05 am flight, valuing time at the lounge over sleep. After I finished my First Class check-in at the CX desk, I received an invitation card for The Pier First, which the check-in agent quickly struck through and instructed me to go to The Wing instead.
Currently, The Wing First does not adhere to the standard Oneworld Emerald entry regulations, and is exclusively accessible (as of this writing) to Cathay Pacific First Class travelers and Cathay Pacific Diamond elite members on a CX flight. Oneworld Emerald members are currently sent to The Pier First Lounge, though Cathay has stated that they plan to eventually grant Emeralds access to The Wing First.
Accessing the lounge was easy, as the entrance is located just after Terminal 1 security. I was warmly welcomed by the lounge staff and permitted to enter. You step into the lounge directly at the Atrium Bar (the primary bar in the lounge) and its seating area.
At 6 am, the lounge was virtually deserted, making it feel like I had the entire place to myself. A staff member greeted me and informed me that I could have breakfast at the Atrium Bar (which features a smaller menu but also some exclusive items), or I could opt for the Dining Room, which I ultimately chose.
In the Dining Room, I enjoyed a delightful breakfast of fresh fruit and Dan Dan noodles. The service was attentive and professional, with dishes arriving promptly. There was only one other patron in the Dining Room, maintaining a serene atmosphere.
As I wrapped up my coffee, Shaw (I hope I spelled this name right), one of the lounge ambassadors, approached my table and offered me a tour of the lounge, which I eagerly accepted. In addition to the Atrium Bar and Dining Room, there is a lounging area adjacent to the Dining Room with tarmac views, plus a few buffet stations with self-serve drinks, including Cathay’s signature Betsy beer (available only in their lounges and flights). Though I don’t typically drink beer these days, I mentioned to Shaw that one of my close friends back home enjoys beer, and she suggested I take one to-go for him!
Shaw also showed me the shower facilities (which I didn’t use since I had showered before arriving at the airport) and the spa section — you can prebook a 15-minute treatment 48 hours prior to your flight using the Cathay app (I had a neck & shoulder massage scheduled for later that morning). Before leaving, the spa staff handed me a buzzer to notify me when my appointment was ready.
Finally, Shaw revealed an area of the lounge that is exclusively designated for First Class and invitation-only Diamond Plus elites. As part of this exclusivity, I was requested not to take photographs or videos of the area, nor discuss any details (I might be revealing too much as it is), but this is where I spent the remainder of my time in the lounge. I can say that if you’re eligible, you should definitely allocate some time to this space.
I stepped out when it was time for my massage appointment. I must say the pressure during my neck and shoulder massage was outstanding, and 15 minutes felt too brief.
I chose to lounge until most of the plane had boarded, but before I departed, I made sure to snag a couple of Betsys from the fridge to take home. The lounge was noticeably busier by the time I left around 8:30 am, although there was still ample space available.
I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Qatar’s Al Safwa Lounge DOH and Emirates’ First Lounge DXB (Concourse B) this year, but I would certainly argue (in my view) that Cathay Pacific’s The Wing First Lounge HKG surpasses both lounges overall (though I will concede Al Safwa is a more visually appealing space). I sincerely hope Cathay opens this area to Oneworld Emeralds, but if that does not happen, I will definitely try my luck at securing a First Class seat out of Hong Kong in the future!