Cathay Pacific is gearing up for a major upgrade to its Hong Kong flagship business class lounge, The Wing Business, set to open in mid-2027. This ambitious project comes as part of the airline's ongoing efforts to reinvent its Hong Kong lounge experience, building on the success of the recently transformed The Wing First. The timing is particularly intriguing, as it coincides with the lounge's 30th anniversary, having first opened in 1998 when the new airport took over from the historic Kai Tak.
The new The Wing Business will draw heavily from the design and ambiance of its sibling, The Pier Business, which is renowned as one of the world's best business class lounges. This evolution, as described by Guillaume Vivet, Cathay's General Manager of Customer Experience Design, will see The Wing Business embrace a warmer, residential vibe, moving away from the sleek, commercial aesthetic of The Pier. The Noodle Bar, a signature element of all Cathay business class lounges, will be upgraded to match the latest Cathay template, featuring handmade European tiles in 'Cathay Jade' and booths inspired by Hong Kong's cha chaan teng restaurants.
The Long Bar, with its sweeping views, will also undergo a makeover, expanding its space and offering a more impressive bar. The hard-shell Solus workstations will be replaced with the wider and more comfortable Solo chairs, which come equipped with wireless and USB-C charging. The Coffee Loft, a unique concept to The Wing Business, will be an intriguing addition, potentially serving as a dual-function space, similar to The Atrium in The Wing First, offering a cafe during the day and a chic cocktail bar after hours.
One of the most anticipated features is the return of showers. The original 24 shower suites on the ground floor were removed during the pandemic, but their reintroduction would be a significant enhancement for a flagship business class lounge. There's also speculation that The Wing Business's footprint will be expanded towards gates 3-4, providing additional space for features like a quiet resting room for transit passengers with long layovers.
What's particularly exciting is the opportunity for The Wing Business to develop its own unique character, as seen in The Wing First. The Tea Room in The Pier Business is a wonderful example, and The Wing Business may well reveal its own X-factor. The project's pace and scale demonstrate Cathay's commitment to delivering an exceptional travel experience, and the anticipation for The Wing Business's unveiling in 2027 is sure to be high.
