After arriving in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur in Cathay Pacific’s business class, I had about 3 hours in The Wing first class before my flight to New York.

Previous trip report installments

• Introduction: Maldives and Malaysia in First Class, How I Booked It and What it Cost
  
• Etihad Lounge and First Class, Washington Dulles – Abu Dhabi
  
• Premier Inn Abu Dhabi International Airport
  
• Etihad’s Abu Dhabi first class lounge, and business class Abu Dhabi – Male
  
• Maldivian Domestic Lounge, Flight, and Boat Transfer to the Park Hyatt
  
• Park Hyatt Hadahaa Maldives
  
• Boat Transfer, Maldivian Domestic Flight Kooddoo – Male, and Malaysia Airlines Business Class, Male – Kuala Lumpur
  
• Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur
  
• Why Kuala Lumpur is One of My Favorite Food Cities
  
• Malaysia Airlines First Class Lounge, Kuala Lumpur and Cathay Pacific Business Class Kuala Lumpur-Hong Kong

I visited Cathay Pacific’s new, premier first lounge lounge — a recently renovated first class side of The Wing in Hong Kong earlier in the year.

Here’s what it used to be like from 2010, 2011, and 2012.

With the renovation I found fantastically improved ‘cabanas’ (the best airport shower rooms around) and an improved restaurant, though I wasn’t impressed by breakfast. And I also found the lounge still too-crowded, but with some hidden more peaceful spots.

The lounge gets crowded as a function of its access rules — though a first class lounge, it isn’t limited to first class passengers. Any top tier elite member of a oneworld frequent flyer program may access the lounge when departing Hong Kong regardless of their class of service.

I was looking forward to a return visit to this lounge, because I’d have a longer layover so would be able to actually make use of (and not just take a peek at) a cabana, and I’d be able to sample afternoon meals in the restaurant that I hoped would be better than breakfast. I was not disappointed.

The lounge is open, looking out over the terminal, and it’s stylishly appointed.

The highlight of the lounge is definitely the Cabanas. Those are shower rooms which are large and private, a great place to relax and refresh.

I’ve showered in airports all over the world, and these are the best.

I included plenty more detail and photos of the lounge in the report from my last visit a few months prior.

After freshening up I went to the dining room. That space has been expanded, it has a more spacious feel (whereas the previous dining room felt a bit claustrophobic, was a fairly non-descript room).

There’s both a buffet and an a la carte menu.

(Click to enlarge.)

I placed an order and then visited the buffet.

After about 10 minutes my entree arrived.

Three-plus hours passes quickly here. It’s not my all-time favorite lounge. I’d take the Lufthansa First Class Terminal in Frankfurt and Thai Airways first class lounge and spa in Bangkok over this in a heartbeat. It would be truly great if it wasn’t so crowded. On the other hand I appreciate that as an American AAdvantage Executive Platinum (100,000 mile flyer) I can use this lounge even if flying business or economy. So, tradeoffs.

About 40 minutes before departure I decided to head out to my New York flight, which was showing on-time.

The high end shops on the way to the gate.. so very Hong Kong. This one was touting that they would pour you free cocktails.

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