Cathay Pacific's Redesigned The Wing, First Lounge Is Now Open
The flagship first class lounge at HKIA has reopened after an extensive redesign, and we’re loving the results.
If you're passing through Hong Kong on a Cathay Pacific first class ticket, your pre-flight experience just got considerably better. The Wing, First at Hong Kong International Airport reopened to passengers on 22nd April 2026 following a thorough redesign, continuing the airline's long-running collaboration with London-based design studio Studio Ilse.
The lounge has occupied the east side of Terminal 1 since HKIA opened in 1998 and this latest iteration may be its best version yet. The signature green onyx that regulars will know is still very much present in the central Atrium, but you’ll see plenty of nods to traditional Chinese architecture throughout.
You'll see the Atrium looking its best no matter what time of day you arrive. Breakfast and lighter wellness options in the morning give way to afternoon tea and then bistro-style dining in the evening, with a self-serve Pantry offering snacks and small bites at most hours. For a more formal meal, the Dining Room serves full à la carte with Asian and international options, including regional Chinese dishes developed in partnership with Mott 32, the acclaimed restaurant group behind some of Hong Kong's best contemporary Chinese dining.
Wellness is built into your time here, rather than an afterthought. The Retreat, which first appeared at The Pier, First, is now available here too, offering seven private booths for foot massages and neck and shoulder treatments before a long flight. We'd always recommend building in enough time for this if you can - there's no better post-flight recovery. The shower suites have also been updated with little details like lighting and water technology that lets you choose between cleanse, refresh and relax.
For those who need to work before or after boarding, the new Bureau is a fully enclosed private workspace, while The Alcove adds five quieter booths for lighter tasks or reading, each with charging facilities so there's no break in your working flow.
The reopening of The Wing, First is part of a broader Cathay lounge programme that has already delivered updates to The Bridge in Hong Kong and the Beijing lounge. The Wing, Business will close for its own renovation ahead of a 2027 reopening, and a new dedicated Cathay lounge in New York is also expected later this year.
