Fancy An Airport Bath? The Brilliant Wing First Class Lounge Hong Kong

First Class lounges are all about opulence for an airlines top customers. The Wing First Class Lounge delivers this on many fronts.

I have travelled around Asia extensively. In this instance I was flying from Hong Kong to Tokyo. Having already reviewed the oasis that is the Pier First class lounge also in Hong Kong international, I was keen to see what it’s counterpart lounge offers.

This review looks at the amazing Wing First Class lounge where I had just under 3 hours to discover it’s offering and enjoy the experience of a world renowned First Class lounge. Does it live up to the lofty expectations already set?

Access & Location

Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon First Class passengers are invited to use this lounge along with The Pier First Class. Marco Polo Diamond/OneWorld Emerald members also can get in provided they are travelling on a OneWorld carrier on the day.

A notable point worth mentioning here is Cathay is fairly generous if you are on a mixed class itinerary, specifically:

If you are travelling in different cabin classes within a single ticketed journey (e.g. from Singapore to Hong Kong in Business Class, and a connecting flight to Paris in Premium Economy), we will honour the highest class of travel (Business Class) for lounge entitlement* throughout your whole journey to make it a comfortable one. Please note that this only applies to flights operated by Cathay Pacific

Location in Hong Kong International

The lounge is just part security near gates 1-4 of HKIA terminal 1. A bit of walking is required to get to the lounge if you are not departing/arriving on the south departures area.

The Wing First Class lounge is in the same compounds as the Wing Business Class lounge (also a marvellous lounge on its own right!). Therefore, the both First and Business guests will most likely find themselves going through the same entrance before a separate entry into the First Class lounge within.

It is also possible to enter the First Class section directly from other side where you take the stairs or escalators up and walk along the mezzanine level to the entrance as a First Class exclusive entry.

Unfortunately the signage for this is not great so you could end up going in circles and then going back to where the business class lounge is!

2023 Update

Since re-opening post covid, I have visited this lounge again and happy to report that I had an even better experience here than my previous visits! In part to there being far fewer guests in general.

The deco and furniture is still almost identical as is all the services on offer.

The Wing First Class Lounge Spaces

Most of the lounge open itself up to the roof of the actual terminal so feel very open and large even though it is not especially large when compared to like of Emirates First Class lounges

The first open space is an open informal dining/work area with either stool chairs on side of around centred tables..

Sitting by the stools at the edge of the lounge affords increadible views of the busy ramps of Kong Kong airport..

Further along you have a more cosy burgundy leather chairs and nice lamps creating a relaxed mood..

There are various canapes/snack food options as well refreshments spread throughout the space. The leather seats are large and comfortable, with minimalist lighting creating a soft ambience.

My primary goal was to check out the famous cabanas and take a bath, because, if I can take a fancy bath in an airport, why shouldn’t you? 🙂

Therefore upon entering, with just over 2 hours on hand, I went straight to the Cabana reception to get a slot.

As expected, all were occupied at that time, so I got put in waiting and handed a buzzer.

Time to explore a little more!

I proceeded to check out the food options.  The catering here mostly consisted of cold cuts, canapes and snacks, though was not hungry to try anything so saved myself for the formal dining at the Haven later.

I was rather impressed with the tea selection they had on offer..

What is not immediately apparent is though this can all be self service. There are staff around who occasionally come to assist, as well as offering to make you any drinks and bring it to you.

The Cabana

About 30 minutes later my cabana was ready! I took some champagne with me!

As I went through a stylish yet dark mysterious corridor I entered into what felt like a hotel room that has a bath as a centre piece!

The bath would genuinely not look out of place at a fancy hotel Suite. It took pride of place

I liked the design of the shower that is almost built in along side it. You have a separate sink/dressing area in the middle before it..

There are in total 5 such cabanas. Unfortunately some of my pictures came out rather over-exposed.

A large connected desk provides a perfect place to work in total privacy, should you need too. Beside the table, was a full sized closet containing some essentials.

Another very useful feature was a shirt press service, where each guest can have up to 2 items pressed.

I got out a shirt from my suitcase that had really been squashed in and tossed about a few times…

Once your items are placed in you shut the door and press a service buzzer and its taken care off.

While I had the bath running, something seemed amiss.. there was no sign of any specific bath salts or bath bubbles, other than the standard bath & shower gels. Not sure if this was ever provided. But seems like a missed opportunity to impress here !

So I wont share any pics of me in the bath here, but to almost state the obvious, it was superb!

I’m not even normally a bath person, but it sure helps de-stress you, you almost forget that you are still on the road!

Serviced Shower Suites

For completeness (for those that do not use the Cabanas) this lounge also provides luxurious shower suites, which also has the shirt press service at the touch of a button.

The Champagne Bar

There are a few areas with bar service in this lounge, that do not stand out as so, because they blend into the deco. They call it the Champagne bar but it is sometimes staffed and partly self serve, so can get confusing!

I decided to have another drink after my bath and enjoy the views outside.

I did like the open nature of this. It is very neat and elegantly woven into and amongst the sofas..

The Haven

About 2 hours in, I felt peckish enough to have a meal at the designated restaurant inside.

There were a few guest dining at the point. Its roughly the same size as the restaurant in the Pier though not as busy.

I was asked where I wanted to sit, and handed a menu..

Minutes later however, the lady came back to say they had actually now switched to an evening menu.

I ordered something along the lines of a Shanghai style chicken (but can no longer remember and nor did I take a picture of the evening menu sadly).

It was more of  a quick bite, as I did not have much time left. This was washed down with a famous Cathay delight!

I recall quite a few things in the menu that sounded great, but either had bacon/pork which I dont eat, therefore felt more limited with some of my choices that will not apply to most others I guess. Nonetheless this was a great meal, served very attentively.

And all too soon, it was time to board my flight!

Wing First Class Lounge Thoughts

I have now been to The Wing First Class Lounge over 4 times, over the last 5 years! It is a brilliant lounge that feels every bit as plush and exclusive as you may wish a First Class lounge to be.

Even though the Cabana is now a few years old, I would say its still the show stopping feature here. A very peaceful place, which ever area you are in. Staff seem to appear out of nowhere when it looks like you might need something, yet they disappear into the space, just like the bar.

The lounge in general however does not feel as cosy and warm like the Pier First Class. Perhaps the result and pros & cons of providing expansive glass views out! The cabana however more than makes up for that. This maybe my personal preference but I do prefer the deco of the Pier, it just has more warmth.

Can it get any better? Well yes. But only so far as add to the experience rather than addressing a flaw. Providing some form of room service or even something like hatches in the cabana would help with providing any drinks tops up or quick bites while you are relaxing in the day bed or having a bath. On another thought, bringing spa services within this compound would really take this lounge to a whole new level.

What really makes this a First Class experience, and sets it apart than say the BA Concorde room is the crowd & service. This in no doubt is probably helped by the fact that there are two First Class lounges (perhaps of equal finesse and quality) for guests to choose from here in HKIA.