Cathay opens new Hong Kong first class lounge

Cathay Pacific has opened a new first class lounge as part of the airline’s multi-year, multi-million-dollar transformation of the Hong Kong loungescape.

That lounge is The Deck First... and yes, it’s the same The Deck lounge – located near Gate 6, next door to the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge – which previously operated as a business class lounge.

But for the next 12 months The Deck will serve as an “interim first class lounge”, Cathay says, now that The Wing First has been closed for an extensive year-long make-over.

The Deck First follows the same entry rules as The Wing First, admitting first class passengers, Cathay Diamond members and Oneworld Emerald frequent flyers.

The Deck will become a temporary first class lounge across 2025-2026.

Named for its wrap-around terrace which overlooks a handful of departure gates at the northern end of the terminal, and beyond that to the airport’s apron and central runway, The Deck has seating for 180 passengers and includes eight shower suites.

The Deck will become a temporary first class lounge across 2025-2026.

Dining at The Deck has been revamped to “more like a ‘first-like’ experience,” Cathay’s Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau has told Executive Traveller.

This includes a menu from Mott 32, one of Hong Kong’s most famous fine-dining destinations.

It’s an extension of the collaboration already in place at The Pier First, which Cathay has described as signature Mott 32 dishes “reimagined for the lounge setting,” while Champagne and “handcrafted cocktails” are upgraded pre-flight tipples.

As previously reported, a new-look The Wing First is expected to emerge in mid-2026 with an “understated luxury” design inspired by The Pier First.

This will be a dramatic change for The Wing First, which for the past 12 years has sported a very different interpretation of luxury which was more commercial – sleek, shiny, hard surfaces and dark colours – than the softer, warmer residential vibe of The Pier.

The Wing is one of Cathay's two Hong Kong flagship lounges.

“The Wing is a great lounge, but it is in need of a facelift,” Lau says.

“I hope our customers will understand that we are really making the new Wing First another great experience.”

Hopefully some hallmarks of The Wing First – such as the Champagne Lounge just beyond the entry, and the private Cabana Suites where passengers can enjoy an indulgent pre-flight soak in the oversized bath – won’t be sacrificed in the transformation.

The Wing First's indulgent Cabana Suites.

Of course, some passengers with plenty of time may skip The Deck First and head to The Pier First.

“Customers use the lounges for different purposes,” Lau said.

“Some really want to get immersed in the experience, so they’ll stay longer” in a lounge, “but there are also a lot who just want take a quick bite and a quick drink” before their flight.

The Deck will become a temporary first class lounge across 2025-2026.

The Deck will remain in ‘first class’ mode until mid-2026, when Cathay reopens The Wing First as Hong Kong’s newest flagship lounge.

Then it’ll be The Wing Business which is made over: a project which will likely stretch from mid-2026 to mid-2027.

As previously reported, Cathay has also reopened The Bridge lounge, located adjacent to Gates 35-36 at the end of the main spine of Terminal 1 and just before the terminal splits into two piers.

As it once was: Cathay's The Bridge lounge, Hong Kong.

And while The Bridge is primarily a business class lounge, it also has an exclusive first class area.

Read more: Cathay Pacific reopens The Bridge lounge at Hong Kong