Cathay Pacific Unveils Redesigned The Wing First Lounge

Cathay Pacific is ushering in a new era of premium ground hospitality with the unveiling of its newly redesigned flagship lounge, The Wing, First, at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). Ahead of its official reopening to guests on 22 April 2026, the refreshed space marks a major milestone in the evolution of Cathay’s global flagship lounge design, and forms part of a wider HK$100‑billion‑plus investment in fleet, cabins, lounges and digital innovation across the Cathay Group.

Located on the east side of Terminal 1, The Wing, First has been a cornerstone of Cathay Pacific’s ground experience since HKIA opened in 1998. The redesigned lounge continues the airline’s collaboration with London‑based design studio StudioIlse, evolving the much‑loved aesthetic first seen at The Pier lounges into a more residential, holistic and human‑centric environment.

Travellers can explore Cathay’s lounges and products at https://www.cathaypacific.com.

A new chapter in Cathay’s flagship lounge design

The refreshed The Wing, First blends contemporary design, residential comfort and thoughtful zoning, while retaining the warmth and familiarity that frequent flyers associate with Cathay’s lounges. Key goals of the redesign include:

• Creating more intimate, human‑scale spaces that feel like a stylish Hong Kong residence, rather than an institutional terminal lounge
• Offering greater privacy and comfort for work, relaxation and dining
• Introducing a holistic approach to space, service and wellness, aligned with the wellbeing‑focused philosophy first developed at The Pier First

The result is a lounge that feels calm, tactile and quietly luxurious, grounded in natural materials, warm lighting and carefully curated furnishings.

Design evolution with StudioIlse

The redesign extends Cathay’s long‑running partnership with StudioIlse, the British studio behind The Pier First and Business lounges. Their design blueprint removes the traditional feel of an airline lounge and replaces it with a series of connected, comfortable spaces arranged like rooms in a home.

While full details of every zone are still emerging, the new The Wing, First is reported to introduce features such as:

• New relaxation and treatment areas inspired by the spa‑like Retreat concept at The Pier
• Private booths and alcoves for focused work or quiet time, each with power, lighting and small tables
• An enhanced bar and dining experience, showcasing Hong Kong‑inspired flavours and Cathay’s culinary collaborations

Across the lounge, the emphasis is on wellbeing, privacy and a sense of sanctuary, echoing StudioIlse’s earlier work where travellers are meant to leave feeling better than when they arrived.

Part of a wider lounge enhancement programme

The reopening of The Wing, First is one pillar of Cathay Pacific’s wider lounge enhancement plan in Hong Kong and globally. Recent and upcoming developments include:

• The redesigned The Bridge lounge at HKIA, which reopened earlier following extensive upgrades.
• The refreshed Cathay Pacific Lounge in Beijing, showcasing the latest design direction outside Hong Kong.
• The airline’s first‑ever dedicated lounge in New York, set to open in the new Terminal 6 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, bringing Cathay’s flagship design language to the US.
• A future refurbishment of The Wing, Business, which will temporarily close for its own renovation before reopening in 2027.

These investments are part of Cathay’s commitment to being its customers’ most loved service brand, ensuring the ground experience matches next‑generation aircraft and cabins.

The Wing, First: legacy and future

Since its original debut in 1998, The Wing, First has been a favourite among premium travellers for its views over the apron, Champagne Bar, á la carte dining and private Cabanas. The latest redesign respects that legacy while reimagining what a flagship first class lounge can be in the late 2020s.

The lounge now sits at the forefront of Cathay’s redefined first class journey, complementing the airline’s upcoming new first and business cabin products and refreshed digital experience. For high‑value corporate travellers, oneworld frequent flyers and premium leisure guests, it signals that Hong Kong remains one of the world’s premier hub airports for luxury travel.

More information on lounge access, locations and opening hours is available at https://www.cathaypacific.com.

Summary

• Cathay Pacific has unveiled a redesigned The Wing, First lounge at Hong Kong International Airport, reopening to guests on 22 April 2026.
• The new design, created with StudioIlse, blends contemporary, residential‑style interiors with a greater focus on privacy, wellbeing and holistic service, forming a new chapter in Cathay’s flagship lounge portfolio.
• The project is part of a wide‑ranging lounge enhancement plan that includes refreshed lounges in Hong Kong and Beijing, a new flagship lounge at New York JFK Terminal 6 and a future redesign of The Wing, Business.