We decided to set out for the airport at around 2:30, which was around 3 hours prior to our flight to Mumbai. We took an UberBlack to the Airport Express Station located in the International Finance Center at Hong Kong. The ride cost us $50 HKD ($6.45 USD) which is similar to what a taxi would cost us, except this ride was in a Tesla Model S.
The Airport Express is the most convenient and efficient way to get from the city center to the Airport. Costing just $100 ($12.9 USD) per person per way, it’s a real deal, considering that a taxi would usually cost upwards of $400.
The Airport Express
Upon arriving at Hong Kong International Airport, we headed for Aisle B, where Cathay Pacific’s Premium Check-In is located. We then made our way for the First Class Check-In Counters which we had access to on account of my father’s Marco Polo Club (Cathay Pacific’s Frequent Flyer Program) Diamond Status which equates to OneWorld Emerald status.
Cathay Pacific First Class Check-In
Cathay Pacific First Class Check-In
The First Class Check-In setup that Cathay Pacific uses is unique as the agent that is assisting you essentially stands opposite you, and the screen in front of you displays basic information regarding your trip.
Upon arriving at the counters, we were welcomed and were asked for our travel documents. After checking our documents, the agent thanked us both for our loyalty, as both my father and I are Elite Cathay Pacific Frequent Fliers. We were presented with our boarding passes and lounge passes and were sent on our way.
After a quick trek through security and immigration which was a painless process, we took a sharp left which brought us to the exterior of the lounge.
A cheerful lounge agent greeted us and took my father’s lounge pass before welcoming us.
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong
The lounge has a selection of seating areas that include a variety of furniture.
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong
The lounge also features a business center of sorts. It has a few iMacs that seemed to be untouched.
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong
The lounge boasts some great views too.
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong
I then went over to ‘The Pantry’ to see what kind of food offerings they had over there.
The food selection in the pantry was mostly continental and there wasn’t much hot food, but the intended purpose of the area is for people who want to snack on some small bites, so it perfectly serves the purpose.
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong The Pantry
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong The Pantry
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong The Pantry
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong The Pantry
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong The Pantry
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong The Pantry
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong The Pantry
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong The Pantry
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong The Pantry
After I checked out this area, I headed to ‘The Haven,’ which is the lounge’s sit-down style restaurant.
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong The Haven
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong The Haven
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong The Haven
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong The Haven
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong The Haven
Because we were running short on time, we couldn’t enjoy the A-La Carte menu, but for what it’s worth, here’s what was on offer on that day.
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong The Haven Menu
After checking out the menu, I went to the buffet to grab a quick bite before the flight.
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong The Haven Buffet
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong The Haven Buffet
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong The Haven Buffet
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong The Haven Buffet
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong The Haven Buffet
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong The Haven Buffet
The selection was quite limited, which was as expected because the next bunch of flights that depart for the US, Europe and India all depart beyond the hours of 8 PM and because our flight departed at 5:25 PM, they were just getting ready for an afternoon tea set-up.
Just before we left the lounge, I headed to the beautifully designed showers. I didn’t have long so didn’t need a cabana.
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong Shower
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong Shower
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong Shower
After my shower, I headed straight for the gate where I was surprised to be met by a large line. I was confused, so I asked the member of staff manning the gate where the Business Class boarding queue was, and she pointed me to the same queue.
It turns out that there are a lot of Marco Polo Club Silver members on these sectors and apparently those members consisted of the bulk of the line.
I was disappointed because I wanted to take cabin pictures, however, just prior to the beginning of the boarding process, my dad met me at the gate. As expected, there was an agent checking the eligibility of the passengers for the use of the priority line, and as soon as she saw my father’s boarding pass, we were escorted to the very front of the line (presumably on account of his status) in front of a very angry bunch of passengers.
At around 4:55, boarding began with Business Class passengers, Marco Polo Club Diamond, Gold and Silver Members, and OneWorld Emerald and Sapphire members.
Bottom Line
- The Wing is a great place to spend time, unfortunately we were departing at a not-so-great time in terms of the food selection so we didn’t have the opportunity to indulge in the other food that would be available.
- The showers are amazingly designed and are among the best in the world.
If I were you and I had access to this lounge, I would definitely arrive at the airport extra early to have more time here, though The Pier is also a great choice – stay tuned for a review later.
Good review… I was just there last week and after checking out the Wing First, decided to head on to The Pier First, which I think has a better facility. Actually a bit disappointed overall with HKG being Cathay’s Main Hub, that they didn’t make the First Class Experience on par with SIA or Lufthansa or Air France. But both are good lounges, The Pier a bit more comfortable I think.