On 31 January, Cathay Pacific Airways reopened its Level 7 Business Class Lounge of The Wing at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), following an extensive renovation. The 1,900 square metre Level 7 lounge offers a luxurious new level of comfort and service for passengers flying out of Hong Kong.
Combining the highest quality materials with a new seating system designed by Foster + Partners, the lounge is intended to transform the experience for passengers using Hong Kong’s flagship carrier. The design supports Cathay Pacific’s concept for a high-quality lounge that can accommodate both First and Business Class passengers, while maximising the available space for relaxation and the airline’s range of hospitality facilities.
The reopened lounge not only demonstrates Cathay Pacific’s understanding of the modern business traveller but also demonstrates the airline’s commitment in providing facilities and service of a standard barely matched by the global aviation industry.
In keeping with Foster + Partners’ original design intent for the airport, all spaces benefit from daylight and airside views from HKIA’s distinctive floor to ceiling windows.
The materials palette combines extensive use of dark stones walls house white marble counters and tables and extensive earth-tone furnishings sitting on reflective black marble for flooring, tied together with silver-grey carpets and leather upholstery, all under the airport’s distinctive white vaulted ceilings. The result is a clean and comfortable, elegant and effortlessly modern new lounge for the airline.
Air travel is glamorous once more! 
Among the many changes and upgrades is the signature Noodle Bar, which has not only doubled in seating capacity, but also moved beyond its original enclosed area to a larger open-ceiling space with ample sunlight and natural live bamboo decorations. Also new to The Wing is the introduction of The Coffee Loft, a relaxing space where passengers can enjoy a cup of specialty coffee and freshly baked pastries. Self-service buffet counters featuring a wide variety of international dishes available on both levels of the lounge throughout the day.
The Level 6 lounge, reopened in April last year, also houses all 24 of The Wing’s Business Class shower suites where passengers can freshen-up before departures.
Foster + Partners has designed the interiors, as well as most of the furniture, including 35 unique Cathay Solus Chairs, manufactured in Italy by Poltrona Frau. Their hourglass form rises from a circular base to create a private space for individual travellers. The chair’s soft leather upholstery is enclosed by a solid, lacquered shell. Designed to function as part of a cloud-like cluster of chairs, as well as providing a secluded space to eat, work or relax, its distinctive curved form was the result of studies into the different ways guests adapted the existing lounge furniture. This chair ably represents the modern requirements of function and form.
Philippe de Gentile-Williams, Cathay Pacific Director Service Delivery said, “The refurbishment of The Wing highlights our commitment to offering the highest level of products and services to our valued customers. We will continue to make significant investments to ensure we deliver the very best to our passengers both on the ground and in the air.”
The Wing, the airline’s flagship lounge at HKIA, is currently going through a complete refurbishment in order to maintain its position as one of the world’s best airline lounges and to help satisfy the growing demand for lounge usage in Hong Kong.
The final phase of renovations for The Wing will be for the First Class Lounge, which will begin shortly and are due for completion in full by the fourth quarter of 2012. The Business Class Lounge is open from 5:30am until the last departure.