After visiting Cathay Pacific’s The Pier First Class Lounge, it was time for the long walk back to my departure gate for my flight back to the United States. However, before I boarded my flight I wanted to visit one last lounge as part of my HKG Over MLK weekend. For my last lounge visit I wanted to spend some time in Cathay Pacific’s The Wing First Class lounge. Specifically, I wanted to spend some time in the famed Cabanas located within The Wing lounge to cap off my HKG over MLK weekend.Cathay Pacific’s The Wing First Class lounge is located just past immigration on the Upper Level of the main terminal. The lounge is very near Gates 1-4 which mean it’s the perfect lounge to visit when departing for the United States. That’s because, in my experience, US bound Cathay Pacific flights depart from this area of the terminal thanks to the additional security screening required.
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Entrance
There are actually two entrances to The Wing’s First Class lounge. Those who head straight to the lounge after clearing immigration will find themselves using the upper level entrance.
The upper level entrance is down the narrow elevated walkway to your left after you clear immigration. Before reaching the actual entrance to the lounge there was a sign directing business class passengers to the lower level business class entrance.
As you reach the main entrance to the lounge there is a beautiful sign which confirms that you’ve arrived to the proper lounge.
As you pass the above entrance there is a small podium where lounge agents scan your boarding card to verify access to the lounge.
Additionally, guests may access The Wing First Class Lounge from the lower level. To access the lounge from the lower level simply enter via the The Wing Business Class entrance.
When you hand your boarding card to the lounge agents, they will let you know that you have access to the First Class lounge and direct you upstairs.
To reach the upper level you can either use the stairs of the elevator.
Once on the upper level, there is a second desk which is staffed with Cathay Pacific agents. Upon reaching the upper level the agents knew I was coming and directed me through the below entrance to the First Class lounge.
This passage allows First Class guests to freely access the Business Class area of the lounge.
Cathay Pacific The Wing Champagne Bar
For the remainder of this review I will review the lounge, room by room, with the assumption that you’ve entered the lounge through the upper level entrance. The business class entrance is toward the rear of the the first class lounge so this review will be in reverse if you use that entrance.
After scanning your boarding card the first room you reach within the lounge is the dedicated Champagne Bar.
The Champagne Bar is just beyond the glass wall which divides the reception area from the remainder of the lounge.
As you pass the glass wall you’ll quickly find there are two horseshoe shaped seating areas.
In the center of the two seating areas is the Champagne Bar.
During my visit there were open bottles of Moet Rosé, Veuve Clicquot Brut, and Baron De Rothschild Champagne.
Guests tend to pour themselves a glass of Champagne before venturing farther into the lounge. During my visit I decided to take a seat in the empty Champagne Bar and enjoy a class of the Moet Rose.
I personally thought the Cathay Pacific watermark on the Champagne glasses was a nice touch.
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Library
After enjoying a glass of Champagne it was time to explore the rest of The Wing lounge. As you exit the Champagne Bar to the left you’ll notice a set of directions neatly displayed on the large black wall.
As you past the above directional signage, you’ll quickly enter The Library. Similar to The Pier lounge, The Library is essentially a large magazine rack surrounded by a few chairs.
The Library had plenty of magazines and newspapers for guests to choose from. Each magazine has a small sticker which requests guests return the magazines when they are finished with them.
If you chose to use the right hallway you’ll pass the IT Zone as you make your way deeper into the lounge.
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge IT Zone
The IT Zone isn’t much to look at. It’s essentially just a small hallway with a few computers.
There are two pairs of iMac desktop computers and a center workstation complete with two landlines.
If you do need to access a computer, you’re best bet is to head downstairs to the Business Class IT Zone which is a much nicer space to get some work done.
The problem with the upstairs IT Zone is that many guests pass by that area as they make there way into the lounge. It’s not an ideal place to work if you actually need to focus.
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Bar and Lounge
After passing either The Library or the IT Zone, you’ll enter the large sitting area in the center of the lounge. This area is home to the self-service bar and majority of the seating found within the lounge.
As you can see, there are no ceilings to this lounge so this entire lounge feels incredibly airy.
Surprisingly, the space remains fairly quiet even though it sits just above the main terminal.
To the rear of this area is a (mostly) self-service bar where guests can make their own drinks. At various points during my visit however there was a lounge attendant behind the bar. However, I’m not exactly sure if they were making drinks for guests or just tidying up.
The bar has a decent selection of liquor and plenty of other beverage options to make mixed cocktails.
This area of the lounge was extremely crowded when I arrived, but emptied out later in the morning.
If this area is full when you visit the lounge, there is a second seating area, however seats aren’t quite as comfortable as in this area of the lounge.
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Pantry
The second seating area within this lounge doubles as a dining area. Although this lounge features a full-service sit down restaurant “The Haven,” there is also a grab-and-go area similar to the Pantry found in The Pier First Class Lounge.
When I arrived in the early morning hours there was hardly anyone in this area of the lounge.
However as the time passed this area became incredibly crowded. During the hectic morning rush there was hardly a single seat available.
This area of the lounge had two self-service food stations where guests could grab a quick bite to eat. Food options included breads, fruits, and cheeses.
Overall, the food selection in this area of the lounge is quite limited.
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Haven
The food selection in the Pantry is limited primarily because this lounge features a full-service sit down restaurant; The Haven.
If you wish to dine at the Haven you must first check-in with at the host’s stand. If there are open tables the host will direct you into the Haven, otherwise you may have to wait a few minutes.
Once inside you’ll find a very well designed restaurant space. There are several two-top tables which are perfect for guests traveling with a companion.
There is also a more secluded area which is perfect if you want a little extra privacy while eating.
Once I sat down a waiter stopped by my table to introduce himself and present a breakfast menu.
After glancing over the menu I decided to order the eggs Benedict as an entree. While I waited I stopped by the Haven’s breakfast buffet.
The breakfast buffet generously offered dumplings and noodles as well as more traditional breakfast buffet items.
I grabbed a few items from the buffet to snack on while I waited for my main course. After a few minutes the eggs Benedict arrived. The serving size was quite small, but quite tasty.
After I filled up on breakfast I decided to head to The Wing’s swan song; The Cabanas.
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Cabanas
The Cabanas are, in my opinion, the best part of this lounge. Cabanas are private bathrooms which guests can use on a first come first served basis. The space is incredible and it’s hard to believe you’re in an airport once inside. I’m going to avoid talking about them and instead will just let you admire the Cabana.
Yes, the Cabana is truly stunning. Once inside, you can take a bath in the oversized tub, a shower under the overhead rain shower-head, or take a nap on the leather day bed. The lights can be brightened, dimmed, or turned off altogether and are controlled by a small switch near the entrance.
Oh and perhaps my favorite feature of the lounge, the ironing button.
If you decide to shower or bath you can have your clothes ironed so they are fresh when you wish to put them back on. After all, no self-respecting businessman can board a First Class flight with a wrinkled shirt!
Final Thoughts
Cathay Pacific’s The Wing First Class lounge is excellent. One thing I really appreciate about this lounge is how different it is from other Cathay Pacific lounges. Most of Cathay’s lounges feature green tinted marble and plush cloth furniture. This lounge obviously isn’t like that at all. I really like the mirrored black walls and the red leather chairs. I also enjoy how open this lounge feels thanks to not having any true ceilings.
Overall, you can’t go wrong visiting this lounge. For me, The Wing First Class lounge is my favorite lounge in Hong Kong International. While I love The Pier, I can get that experience from nearly every other Cathay Pacific lounge around the world. However, visiting The Wing a truly unique experience. For that reason, it earns my top spot for HKG lounges.
