Lounge like the 1%

The Wing, First at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) took an 11-month hiatus for renovation (or should I say MRO) before reopening anew in April this year.

While en route from Hong Kong to Shanghai, I got to experience what it's like to lounge as a Cathay Pacific's First Class passenger or Cathay Diamond member (and above) at The Wing, First.

Located on the east side of Terminal 1, the 1,675 m² lounge felt totally brand new despite the fact that it has been with the airport since day one back in 1998.

The Wing, First gives you plenty of reasons to arrive at the airport early to enjoy all the boons before flying first class. The redesigned lounge continues the airline’s collaboration with London-based design firm StudioIlse and represents a new evolution of the signature design developed by Cathay and StudioIlse that customers know and love.

Think a sophisticated residence with mid-century furniture, warm timber, stone, layered textiles and a central green onyx bar. Its main open-plan area feels so vast as you look up to the airport's triangulated grid ceiling above and out to the apron. Depending on your boarding time, you may be able to do a sunset toast, too.

F&B-wise, eligible passengers have not one, but three spots to satiate themselves. If you feel peckish, you can just help yourself to light and bite-sized delicacies on offer at the Pantry.

For something more substantial, the Atrium serves versatile menu offerings from breakfast items, including lighter wellness‑led options, through afternoon tea to evening bistro‑style dining.

For a proper meal, the Dining Room offers full à la carte table service featuring Asian and international classics, with the highlights being four regional Chinese dishes created exclusively in partnership with Mott 32's chef Lee Man Sing and Malcolm Wood.

While Mott 32's Whole crispy abalone and Wok-fried scallops with XO sauce deserve a reorder, save some room for Cathay Pacific lounge's signature comfort dishes: Wonton noodle and Dan dan noodle. Frequent flyers need not worry, as the menu also features monthly specials.

For solo travellers who need a space to call their own, the Alcove features five multipurpose booths designed for comfort and added privacy, each equipped with a compact table and charging facilities for light dining, reading or catching up on emails.

Feet sore from all the airport walking? Check out The Retreat for four choices of 15-minute massages. Not a full-on spa but sure beat massage chairs. Featuring handcrafted wood panels, bespoke furniture and ambient lighting, the tranquil space offers seven booths where passengers can enjoy a foot, neck and shoulder or head massage or a facial treatment to relax and recharge before their flights.

Get squeaky clean inside a shower suite where innovative water and lighting technologies allow you to set the modes to cleanse (and shower-sing). Need some primping and preening? No need to look for a comb inside your Birkin. You can ask for that, as well as other items such as deodorant, hair products and a shaving set.

If you need to get some serious business done in total privacy, head for The Bureau. There are two rooms which you can reserve to type away at your laptop, have small meetings or print documents. Users can also personalise the experience with two lighting modes — Engaged and Focused. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

However, the utmost exclusivity of this exclusive lounge is a hidden speakeasy called The 18. One bartender will be pouring top-shelf spirits and Champagnes for 17 guests (thus the name) and it requires a facial recognition scan to enter. You can't flex though, as photography isn't allowed inside.

In addition to the reopening of The Wing, First, Cathay Pacific will introduce its first-ever dedicated lounge in New York later this year at John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Terminal 6. Meanwhile, The Wing, Business will close and undergo renovations before reopening next year.