Cathay Pacific transit in Hong Kong

8 replies

DBOC

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 03 May 2017

Total posts 7

Flying BNE>HKG>VIE in a couple of weeks with CX to Hong Kong, but then Austrian to Vienna.

I'm guessing Cathay won't allow entry into the Wing lounge on transit with another carrier, which leaves one of the Austrian associated options: Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge, Thai Royal Orchid Lounge; or United Club Lounge

I've only used the Wing lounge at HKG - does anyone have suggestions as to which one of the above is the better choice?


   

David

Member since 24 Oct 2010

Total posts 1,016

I'd head for the Singapore Airlines lounge, which has been upgraded to the same style as the Sydney and London lounges. No harm in checking out the Thai and United options though, if they're close together and time permits.

TheRealBabushka

Member since 21 Apr 2012

Total posts 2,058

I'd head for the Singapore Airlines lounge, which has been upgraded to the same style as the Sydney and London lounges. No harm in checking out the Thai and United options though, if they're close together and time permits.

Don't bother with the Thai lounge. It's an open air lounge like the Wing, without the restaurant, noodle bar or cabana. So it feels pedestrian. 

DBOC

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 03 May 2017

Total posts 7

OK thanks for the tips. I was concerned the SIA lounge was a bit closed in with nothing to look at other than a TV, but I've got a few hours to burn so will probably do a tour through all of them. 

victort

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 14 Feb 2017

Total posts 77

OK thanks for the tips. I was concerned the SIA lounge was a bit closed in with nothing to look at other than a TV, but I've got a few hours to burn so will probably do a tour through all of them. 

Nice, then you can post a follow up review for all ;-)

DBOC

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 03 May 2017

Total posts 7


Ha, now there's a good idea on how to waste some transit time .. a live in situ report, lounge hopping in Hong Kong. Might just do that : )  

DBOC

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 03 May 2017

Total posts 7

Well... here we are. Not sure it still fits under the banner of CX category, but here goes none the less. For anyone choosing a Cathay/LH Group (e.g. Austrian) mix to get to Vienna via Hong Kong here's my experience (sor far). Departed Brisbane on schedule but unfortunately they were not able to issue boarding passes for OS flights on departure. This meant that after arriving at about 7:30am, the issue I faced was that no transit desk or check-in counter was open. Flight on the Airbus 350 was otherwise very pleasant I have to say though. The newer seat design gives a little more storage and leg space and the larger monitor and more modern IFE system is a definite improvement over the A330 .   


So my first stop was to jump through immigration and visit the Cathay Arrivals lounge because without subsequent boarding passes you can't get to the other lounges. Arrivals lounge is disappointing. Well, to call it a lounge may overly generous - more an arrivals bunker perhaps. It has plenty of nice showers/bathrooms and that's probably the main focus and value it represents. Those stuck in transit limbo however don't get much out of the visit. Small, crowded at times and not much fare on offer in terms of consumables. Internet was also very average. 

Eventually the Austrian check-in opened and here we are at the Silver Kris Lounge. I must say, it is a LOT better than I expected. The photos you can find from various online reviews don't do it justice really. Although there's no windows, the lounge feels spacious and the food, drinks etc are all quite nice.  Power points for laptop seem to be more difficult to track down (especially those not needing a HK adaptor). Small niggles however, and this place is definitely worth a visit if you need to spend some time in relative comfort. There's a 1st Class section off-shoot as you enter to the left, and a good private area at the front. The place is getting progressively more busy (quarter past 11 here now) but it still doesn't feel like you're struggling to find a space.  

I'll see how I go with time and may go visit the other two lounge options (i.e. Thai and United). 

DBOC

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 03 May 2017

Total posts 7

Right, next in our live HK lounge tour is Thai Airways. Upper section at the end of Terminal 2, its at the opposite side of the terminal to the SIA option. Far less busy in here compared to the SilverKris lounge I just left. It's very open and airy but that goes against it in terms of climate comfort  since it cops the midday heat from the roof of the terminal. It is an open deck layout with a quiet room as well as balcony area. Whether you want to watch people, planes or just relax, you'll find a spot that suits here. Food looks very average however - not anywhere as good as the Singapore lounge. Far fewer options for drinks and food.  


There is a 1st class area adjoining the business lounge but that doesn't look much better. A common theme for both lounges so far is the deep fried nibbles collection. That seems to have come out of the same packet for here and SIA. 

Neither this or the SIA lounge is as good as the Wing from Cathay. Yet to try the United Club.. 

DBOC

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 03 May 2017

Total posts 7

OK - final stop in our live lounge tour of today is the United Club. A short hop across from where the Thai lounge sits. 


First impression: I like it - a lot. Layout is by far the best so far. Decor is nice and the colour spectrum doesn't burn your retina like it does in Thai offering. A really good spread of food and drink - probably a battle between Singapore Airlines and this place. Certainly enough variety to keep you interested if you want to drink or graze. Lots of space, mostly open and again it suffers slightly with the heat but the layout is lots of areas offering comfortable chairs or bar stools overlooking the lower section where the gates are. 

Best of all, almost all of the seats have their own universal power sockets. It is now approaching 12:30 HK local time and the place is very quiet. Certainly nothing like the nightclub that the Silver Kris lounge was. This would have to be my top pick for the day, but it all depends on what you value most. 

For privacy - United
For Food - Close call; either United or Singapore (probably SIA since you can order some hot meals like laksa etc.)
For drinks: Singapore SilverKris
For comfort: United Club
For convenience: Probably the SIA lounge. Although a little challenging to find it is right at the front of the terminal rather than the other two, for which you need to travel the length of T2. 

Personally I would probably head for the SilverKris lounge initially, have a snack or meal with a drink, then make your way to the United Club to relax. That's it. One weary tale of having too much transit time and no idea on how to best spend it. Hope it offers some insight to those that haven't experience all 3 options. Time to get to gate 200 something - which is near the south pole I think. 

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