Cathay Pacific opens new lounges at Singapore and Hong Kong airports

The Cathay Pacific lounge network is growing with the addition of two new premium locations.

A few days ago, the airline celebrated the inauguration of Singapore airport’s widely anticipated new hi-tech Terminal 4 with the opening of its first lounge in the Garden City. In January 2018, the oneworld carrier is expected to open The Deck, a complete refresh of the former Dragonair-branded club at its Hong Kong hub.

Cathay Pacific moves to Terminal 4 at Singapore airport

Cathay Pacific passengers will be amongst the first to experience the delights of the newest terminal at Singapore’s celebrated airport.

With live plants throughout, a koi-filled pond, local art including large-scale sculptures, galleries celebrating Singapore’s history and architecture, and no less than 80 stores and restaurants, Singapore Airport Terminal 4 is more akin to a high-end shopping mall than a traditional airport terminal. The designers have put a major emphasis on automation. With kiosks assisting customers all the way from check-in to immigration, it’s possible to from the curb to the gate without interacting with any staff (security checks aside.)

Cathay Pacific was among the first airlines to move to Terminal 4, along with Korean Air, Vietnam Airlines, Cebu Pacific, AirAsia, and Spring Airlines. The Hong-Kong carrier previously operated from the less attractive Terminal 1 along with oneworld partners. It is however slated to remain the only oneworld member in Terminal 4.

At Terminal 1, Cathay Pacific used the dnata contract lounge. With the opening of Terminal 4, the carrier invested in a new and exclusive lounge—a well-justified expense considering that the airline operates eight daily flights to Hong Kong, plus a flight to Bangkok with continuing service to Hong Kong.

The Cathay Pacific Lounge at Singapore Airport 4, a quiet and sophisticated haven

The Cathay Pacific Lounge at Singapore Airport Terminal 4 boasts the airline’s acclaimed new design already seen at Hong Kong’s The Pier, Vancouver airport, London Heathrow, Tokyo Haneda, Manila, Bangkok, and Taipei.

Crafted by London-based Studioisle, the design aims to foster a residential feel with a living room vibe, in a departure from the typical sterile airport environment.

The delicate alliance of natural materials—gorgeous cherry walls, limestone floors, hardwood ceilings—along with indoor plants, green ceramics, brass highlights, and Asian touches such as the delicate hanging light fixtures, gives the space a cozy, sophisticated and intimate touch. Luxury abounds, but it’s exquisitely understated—a masterful combination of sophistication and authentic residential simplicity.

The L-shaped space accommodates 200 guests, with views and the tarmac on one side, and a—less inspiring—view of the departure hall on the other end.

Guests benefit from a variety of seating options, with dining tables, booth seating, communal tables, couches, traditional lounge seating, and Cathay Pacific’s latest incarnation of the Solus chair, a wrap-around, high backed chair with a built-in side table, coat hook, power outlet, and USB port.

Power outlets are available at virtually every seat, discretely tucked in little compartments so as to not distract the eye from the smooth shapes and appearance of the ensemble.

Cathay Pacific’s signature noodle bar serves cooked-to-order favorites including Dan Dan noodles, wonton noodle soup, and Singapore Laksa. In addition, patrons will find a buffet with snacks, hot entrees, desserts, and a self-service beverage selection with Champagne, wines, and liquor and spirits.

Due to Singapore’s proximity with Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific does not offer showers, but the bathroom is outfitted with limestone, sinks with brass fixtures, and luxurious Aesop bath products.

Other amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, The Bureau (a well-appointed business center), and a selection of newspapers and magazines.

Cathay Pacific contracts the day-to-day management of the lounge to Plaza Premium, the world’s largest independent airport lounge operator. (Plaza Premium also operates several independent pay-in lounges at Singapore airport under their own brand.)

The lounge is open very day from 4 am to 1 am, and welcomes Cathay Pacific premium passengers and Marco Polo Club elite members. For more details, see the Cathay Pacific Singapore Lounge in our index.

Note that Terminal 4 is only accessible upon presentation of a boarding pass for a flight departing from Terminal 4, so the Cathay Pacific lounge will be off-limits to oneworld passengers flying from Terminals 1-3, despite the alliance’s access rules. oneworld passengers benefit from two new lounges at Terminal 1: the British Airways Lounge, and the Qantas Lounge.

Cathay Pacific prepares to unveil The Deck at Hong Kong airport

Cathay Pacific’s G16 lounge at Hong Kong airport, operated under the Dragonair brand, has long been the odd one out—a stepchild in a lineage of otherwise impressive flagship lounges such as The Wing and The Pier.

The demise of the DragonAir brand and rebranding as Cathay Dragon sparked a remodel of the facility. While the footprint is not increasing—the G16 lounge will remain the smallest Cathay Pacific club at Hong Kong airport—the new space will adopt the airline’s new residential design, and will be outfitted with its signature amenities such as the noodle bar.

The lounge will be renamed The Deck, signaling its full membership in the family of Cathay Pacific’s lounges, which includes The Wing, The Pier, The Cabin, The Bridge, and The Arrival.

The excellent Australian Business Traveller has a few outside shots which reveal that the remodeled lounge is almost ready for primetime.

Featured photo: Cathay Pacific Lounge – Singapore (SIN) courtesy of Cathay Pacific