Cathay Pacific reopens The Bridge lounge at Hong Kong International Airport
This revamped airport facility is part of a $19bn investment being poured into aircraft, cabins and lounges.
This revamped lounge at Hong Kong International Airport is part of a $HK100bn ($19bn) investment being poured into aircraft, cabins and facilities.
Location
It’s been waiting in the wings for five years, but Cathay Pacific’s business-class lounge, The Bridge, at Hong Kong International Airport, has just reopened. In the competitive Asian market, Cathay Pacific lounges set the bar for design dens.
This is particularly the case at its flagship The Pier, a moodily lit chic sanctuary for those committed to marching the mini marathon to Gate 65 (or are departing nearby).
But The Bridge has location, location, location, nestled in the airport’s geographic heart, down a set of elevators. Strung along the tarmac apron for prime-time plane watching, this could become Cathay’s new home hub favourite.
Seating
There is ample, as lounge manager Lawrence Lobrin says: “We had 510 guests on our opening day, and then 600 between 6am and 9am the next day as everyone is so curious – and we can accommodate them.” The dress-circle seats (and my pick) are at the bars by the ceiling-to-floor windows in both wings.
This lounge is divided in two; at reception, veer right for the Western fare focused north side, or head left for the Asian noodle-centric south wing. Half the Western cuisine wing is dedicated to a private Diamond-status (Cathay Pacific’s premier tier) members or first-class passenger space.
Both wings have an array of seating, including oyster and ochre-hued leather lounges and chairs with discreet chargers in adjacent tableside pullout drawers. The Asian area is larger, sports more variety and array, extending to intimate dining booths, trumping the Western food area, which has a decidedly unglamorous cafeteria vibe.
Food and drink
Top tip: explore into the far reaches of the Asian wing to discover The Nook. Chefs Amy and Chris are tucked in the furthest elbow crook, cooking up a storm. The limited menu is a flavour riot, from the barbecue pork rice roll, mashed cucumber with choy and garlic, or the spicy lamb bao that gives a donkey-kick lip tingle. Cooked to order (two minutes), the lamb alone is worth a visit
But finding The Nook means first running the gauntlet of temptation, the famed Noodle Bar. Online flying forums host passionate debates over the superiority of the dan dan noodles versus the signature bianbiang noodles (both are excellent).
The cocktail list has classics, there’s self-serve ice buckets with Drapper Cote d’Or Champagne, craft beers including Hong Kong Amber Ale, and non-alcoholic drinks fridges.
The Western side placates Anglo palates with items such as braised beef bourguignon tartlets, but the real drawcard in this zone is its liquid offerings. It’s home to The Long Bar with bartenders, and fan favourite, the coffee cart serving latte art.
Work and tech
“Our goal was to create a space that feels genuinely welcoming – one that reflects our commitment to thoughtful, human-centric design,” says Guillaume Vivet, general manager of customer experience design.
Human-centric hasn’t resulted in work-centric design, as the only proper desk and power situation is in the Noodle Bar dining booths, until shown two meeting rooms hiding behind frosted doors. With no signage, they are likely to be empty.
Refresh
The nine shower suites will be popular (given their equidistant location to most gates), but I’m ushered straight in. The stylish travertine and black spacious bathroom, with practical seating bench and fluffy towels, will not only have you feeling a million dollars, but dreaming of spending just as much to replicate the look at home. There’s no shower cap, an odd oversight given thoughtful details such as an elastic hair band are included in the amenity kit.
Extras
Keep an eye peeled for works in the Part of Art program; 30 pieces by Hong Kong-born or based artists are displayed in the Aria Suite galleys (the new Boeing 777-300ER business cabins) and in the lounges. The Bridge features William Furniss, specialising in abstract water photography.
The verdict
The Bridge reopening is just the beginning of a generational Cathay glow-up; in the next two years, more than $HK100bn ($19bn) is being poured into new aircraft, cabins and lounges. A nucleus location, warm and efficient staff, runway views, endless dim sum and decor that’s light and bright make this another reason to touch down in Hong Kong.
Felicity Byrnes was a guest of Cathay Pacific.
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