Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines close Manila lounges
The airlines have been forced to shutter their popular Manila T3 lounges.
By David Flynn, May 31 2026
Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines have been forced to close their well-regarded lounges at Manila Terminal 3, at the insistence of the operator of Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
And these are not temporary closures – both airlines say it’s permanent, citing “airport redevelopment works.”
Several online reports claim the Manila International Airport Authority plans to open its own premium lounges at T3, with the intention of charging airlines for every passenger they send to each facility.
Executive Traveller has contacted the airport authority for comment, and will update this article on its reply.
Cathay Pacific has been forced to close its Manila airport lounge.
For now, here’s where things stand.
The Cathay Pacific lounge at Manila T3 locked its doors on Sunday May 31.
“While we have endeavoured to extend the timeline for the lounge’s closure, regrettably we have been unable to do so,” the airline said in a statement.
The last bowl of noodles has been served at Cathay Pacific's Manila airport lounge.
First opened in May 2015, the Cathay Pacific lounge was a welcome go-to for other Oneworld airlines departing from Manila T3 – among them JAL, Qantas and Qatar Airways – thanks to its elegant, relaxed design and signature Noodle Bar.
Beginning Monday June 1, Cathay’s business class passengers along with Cathay Gold and Diamond frequent flyers will be directed to the First Meridian Lounge on Level 4 in Terminal 3.
Reports indicate the First Meridian Lounge is positioned as a premium lounge with a live teppanyaki station, private work pods, a ‘virtual golf simulator’ and a kids’ playroom.
JAL is already using this lounge, while at the time of writing, Qatar Airways is directing loungeworthy passengers to the very ordinary PAGSS Lounge; alternative lounge arrangements for Qantas passengers have yet to be advised.
Singapore Airlines' Manila business class lounge will close on June 15.
The Singapore Airlines lounge at Manila T3 will close as of Monday June 15, as first reported by Singapore blog The MileLion.
As with CX, a statement issued by Singapore Airlines said the closure “is due to airport redevelopment works that involve the space where the lounge is located.”
Singapore Airlines' Manila business class lounge will close on June 15.
All loungeworthy SQ flyers will also make their way to the First Meridian Lounge.
And that lounge promises to be one busy spot, given that between them, Cathay and Singapore Airlines field 11 daily flights to their respective hubs at Hong Kong and Singapore.
Also read: Qantas launches partnership with Philippine Airlines
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Aug 2014
Total posts 184
Well this is very disappointing....
10 Apr 2015
Total posts 15
Last year when I travelled on QF MNL-BNE, a flight that was scheduled at that time during the closed hours of the CX lounge, we were sent to the PAGSS lounge. As noted in the article, very ordinary.
12 Jan 2018
Total posts 2
Hi, can confirm that the CATHAY lounge is now closed, attempted entry on Monday, Closed"for renovations" the girl standing at the door told me, closed yesterday and yes renovations were underway, strange I thought as 3 months ago I was there and it looked fine, especially when the alternative PAGS was sadly a hangover from the 70s, the staff were actually very accommodating but the lounge is a disgrace.
03 Jun 2026
Total posts 1
I was last on May 28 in the new FML (First Millennium Lounge) at Terminal 3 in Manila as an Emirates passenger - this means that EK lounge has been closed as well. This new lounge is huge but extremely cold (far too much AC with too cold temperature, a lot of space, very limited food and drinks, strange set up and very long ways to get drinks. EK lounge before and SQ and CX which l used as well often have been so much better than this new solution - in the future l will stay somewhere in the terminal and enjoy some food and drinks there as this ne lounge is a complete failure - l says this as 40years long worldwide FQT having spent hundreds of days in lounges - the designer of this FML has zero clout about modern lounges
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Jun 2019
Total posts 14
To be a little blunt but honest, MNL is the worst airport I’ve seen in Asia and Asia has most of the best
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
08 Dec 2023
Total posts 15
This is yet another blow for VA FFs who have access to Singapore's owned lounges but not its partner lounges.
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