Now that Hong Kong has opened up to the rest of the world, everything seems to be falling into place for business and leisure travellers heading off to the city-state. We already know that Hong Kong Tourism is giving away 500,000 free international flights starting March, and airlines are scrambling to reinstate inbound services. It was only a matter of time before Hong Kong’s flag carrier, Cathay Pacific, started ramping up capacity as well, a process that includes finally reopening its famed The Pier first class lounge at Hong Kong Airport Terminal 1, as well as The Wing Business lounge.
With Cathay Pacific already opening doors to The Pier, Business and The Wing, First, as well as The Deck, it looks like by mid-year we’ll see the airline’s complete Hong Kong lounge portfolio back in business. And that’s no doubt welcome news for pointy-end travellers spending time in one of the world’s busiest commercial airports. Especially those with a particular appetite for self-serve Champagne bars and mini pizzas.
In addition to adding aircraft, reintroducing services and boosting flight capacity, it looks like Cathay Pacific is well on its way to bringing back at least 70% of its pre-pandemic capacity by the end of the year.
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Other than reopening with small design changes, not much has changed for any of the lounges. As reported by Executive Traveller, the most meaningful change seems to be in The Pier First, where The Pantry has overhauled its offering and introduced more of an afternoon tea-style spread for those who don’t have time to sit down in the a la carte dining room.
Until The Pier First opens in a few months, first class passengers, Cathay Diamond frequent flyers and equivalent Oneworld Emerland passengers have exclusive access to The Pier Business. The biggest changes in this lounge are those aforementioned pizzas, which are handmade and freshly baked, served alongside Italian pasta and homemade soup with a few deli-style eats as well – a far cry from the former buffet.
