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Cathay Pacific completes Business Class Lounge renovations at The Wing, the airline’s flagship lounge in Hong Kong

Cathay Pacific Airways today reopened its Level 7 Business Class Lounge of The Wing at Hong Kong International Airport following an extensive renovation. The newly opened 1,935-square-metre Level 7 lounge, together with the 1,002-square-metre Business Class Lounge on Level 6 that reopened in April last year, offers a new level of comfort and service for passengers flying out of Hong Kong.

The Wing, the airline’s flagship lounge at Hong Kong International Airport, is currently going through a complete refurbishment in order to maintain its position as one of the world’s best airline lounges and to help satisfy the growing demand for lounge usage in Hong Kong. The final phase of renovations for The Wing will be for the First Class Lounge, which will begin shortly. Designed by London-based architects Foster + Partners, The Wing renovations will be completed in full by the fourth quarter of 2012.

Cathay Pacific Director Service Delivery Philippe de Gentile-Williams said: “The refurbishment of The Wing highlights our commitment to offering the highest level of products and services to our valued customers. We will continue to make significant investments to ensure we deliver the very best to our passengers both on the ground and in the air.”

Among the many changes and upgrades is the signature Noodle Bar, which has not only doubled in seating capacity, but also moved beyond its original enclosed area to a larger open-ceiling space with ample sunlight and natural live bamboo decorations. On top of freshly made noodles, passengers can now enjoy the newly introduced Chinese-style buns, or bao, including the popular Char Siu Bao.

Also new to The Wing is the introduction of The Coffee Loft, a relaxing space where passengers can enjoy a cup of specialty coffee and freshly baked pastries. Self-service buffet counters featuring a wide variety of quality Asian and Western hot dishes along with cold food selections are also available on both levels of the lounge throughout the day.

The refurbished Business Class sections of The Wing offer a wide range of designer furniture including 35 unique Cathay Solus Chairs designed specifically to accommodate single travellers’ needs. The Level 6 lounge also houses all 24 of The Wing’s Business Class shower suites where passengers can freshen up before departures.

As with all Cathay Pacific lounges, The Wing’s Business Class Lounge is open to First and Business Class passengers, Silver and above Marco Polo Club members and Sapphire and above oneworld members. Opening hours are from 5:30am until the last departure.

THE NEW-LOOK BUSINESS CLASS LOUNGE OF THE WING

Overview

The Wing is Cathay Pacific’s flagship lounge at Hong Kong International Airport. Offering passengers unparalleled levels of comfort and convenience, The Wing set a new standard in airline ground service when it first opened its doors in 1998. The original design was created by renowned British designer John Pawson to represent the ultimate in spaciousness, tranquillity and uncluttered design.

While The Wing is an “old friend” to many of Cathay’s most frequent travellers, we recognise the need to continue offering the highest level of products and services to our valued customers. After 13 years in operation, Cathay Pacific appointed London-based Foster + Partners to redesign the lounge space with a full-scale renovation and refurbishment commencing in late 2010.

The renovation is being carried out in phases to minimise inconvenience to passengers. Phase I of the renovation for the Level 6 Business Class lounge was completed in April 2011, followed by Phase II - for the Level 7 Business Class lounge – which was completed in January 2012. The last phase will be the Level 7 First Class lounge, and the work will be completed in full by the fourth quarter of 2012.

Open ceilings and unobstructed views remain the hallmarks of The Wing. The original minimalist design is enhanced by contemporary and refreshing elements intended to re-establish The Wing as one of the best airport lounges in the world.

The sense of expectation builds immediately on arrival, with passengers greeted by our warm and friendly staff before heading to the balcony level. Inside this exclusive space, passengers have the freedom to recharge, relax, or catch up on some work.

Materials

The palette of materials has been carefully chosen to create a comfortable environment, one which relates to the airport as a whole while remaining distinctive in its own right. Building on the materials from the original The Wing and The Cabin, the new space features a palate of warm woods, white Carrara marble, “Nero Marquina” black marble and “China Black” granite.

The hugely popular Noodle Bar has been greatly expanded and has also moved beyond its original enclosed area to a larger, open-ceiling space with ample sunlight and natural live bamboo from Mainland China. The mix of bamboo material and natural stone gives a modern Asian feel to the space, making it a perfect place for passengers to relax and enjoy a bowl of freshly made noodles together with a selection of authentic Asian dishes.

The Long Bar remains an iconic feature of The Wing, and the white marble which forms the 23-metre-long feature was hand-picked from Italy.

The two self-service buffet counters, one on each level of The Wing, are also finished with white Carrara marble to provide the perfect backdrop to a variety of high-quality Asian and Western hot food selections along with cold dishes.

Furnishing

The furniture featured in The Wing comes from some of the world’s best craftsmen. The Foster 503 & Foster 500 leather armchairs designed by Sir Norman Foster and the Oscar Armchair designed by Person Lloyd are both produced by renowned furniture maker Walter Knoll, while the Imprimatur leather armchair and Kalos armchair, both designed by Antonio Citterio, have been produced by B&B Italia. These contemporary pieces are complemented by Cathay Pacific’s unique Solus Chair, which was designed by Cathay Pacific and Foster + Partners around the needs of the single traveller and handcrafted by Poltrona Frau in Italy.

The Coffee Loft

A brand new feature of The Wing, the Coffee Loft provides a relaxing environment where passengers can enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee and pastries baked on the premises. The space transforms into a cocktail bar in the evenings.

Level 6 Lounge Facilities

Passengers who prefer a more enclosed environment can choose to relax in the lower level of The Wing, where they will find a self-service international buffet area, as well as 24 shower suites where they can freshen up before their departure.

Also on this level is the IT Zone, which features six workstations equipped with individual computers and printers available for use by lounge guests.

Eligibility

The Wing Business Class Lounge is open to First and Business Class passengers, Silver and above Marco Polo Club members and Sapphire and above oneworld members. Opening hours are from 5:30am until the last departure flight. Its main entrance is located on Level 6, by Gate 2 at the airport.flair