Cathay Pacific previews new business class lounge

Cathay Pacific General Manager Product Leslie Lu (centre), Hong Kong International Airport General Manager Liza Ng (left) and General Manager Sales and Distribution Toby Smith at The Pier Business Class Lounge

Fully refurbished lounge offers understated luxury for travellers

Cathay Pacific Airways last week hosted a preview of its new Business Class Lounge at The Pier at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), following a comprehensive refurbishment. 

Located adjacent to Gate 65 in the North West concourse of HKIA, the new Business Class Lounge occupies a space of 3,306 square metres – approximately 1,000 square metres larger than the previous lounge – and is now the largest among all Cathay Pacific lounges, with seating for 550 people. 

Designed by Studioilse, the London-based design studio led by Ilse Crawford, The Pier Business Class Lounge aims to create an environment that makes passengers feel relaxed and refreshed, engaging the senses and focusing on wellbeing. Aligning with the airline’s brand ethos and reflecting the airline’s commitment to a Life Well Travelled, the overall concept has been designed around imaging the space as a street with a distinctly Hong Kong identity, enabling passengers to enjoy the facilities according to their preferred pace.

The lounge experience starts from the street which is divided into ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ lanes. Entering the fast lane, passengers will find an array of food and beverage offerings. Among the various dining options are The Food Hall, a fun and vibrant space with self-service kiosks, and The Noodle Bar - an iconic feature of Cathay Pacific’s lounges. The Food Hall features a coffee cart, with a design inspired by street food carts found around Asia, offering freshly brewed coffee prepared by professional baristas. The Noodle Bar provides a variety of signature noodles, including the popular Dan Dan and Wonton noodles, in addition to Asian style noodles and Chinese dim sum and buns throughout the day. 

The slow lane features extensive lounge seating with views out of the big glass windows and glazed timber screens. The space is anchored by Cathay Pacific’s bespoke Solo Chairs, each equipped with a built-in reading lamp and an individual side table for those looking for a quiet space to enjoy the view over the airport runway and beyond, or to catch up on their work.

Beyond the bustle of the street, passengers enter the Tea House - a brand-new feature developed specifically for The Pier Business Class Lounge. This is a quiet space which marks the transition into the wellbeing area. A wide selection of teas is served by a tea specialist, allowing passengers to relax with a soothing drink after a shower or before returning to the buzz of the airport. 

14 shower suites and a relaxation room, featuring low upholstered loungers and footstools, form the wellbeing area at the end of the lounge, offering passengers a calm and stress-free environment in which to freshen up and wind down.

Aligning with Cathay Pacific’s brand ethos, which emphasises contemporary Asian elements alongside a focus on warmth and simplicity, the lounge makes use of high-quality natural materials to give a sense of generosity and permanence to the space. Warm, tactile and timeless materials such as limestone and cherry wood are used in the refurbishment; acoustics are softened where possible and a considered approach has been adopted in the lighting. An abundance of natural plant-life adds a more natural and healthier look, while the airline’s support for Hong Kong artists is highlighted through the extensive use of local artworks. 

The Pier Business Class Lounge is accessible to First and Business Class passengers, Silver and above Marco Polo Club members, members of all tiers who earned lounge passes and/or their friends and family members, and Emerald and Sapphire oneworld members who are departing or transiting in Hong Kong. The opening hours will be 5:30 a.m. until the last departure.