Many Cathay Pacific Lounges at Hong Kong Airport shut down till further notice

When it comes to airline lounges, Cathay Pacific lounges at Hong Kong airport were some of the best out there across the oneworld ecosystem. The airline had a whole range of lounges across HKG for their business and first-class passengers, as well as oneworld elites.

But Cathay Pacific is not having a good run at the moment. The business was already affected due to the riots in Hong Kong last year, and then the CoronaVirus came along. This has led to Cathay cutting down a lot of flights for the time being:

Cathay Pacific cuts China capacity
Cathay Pacific reduces 30% capacity across the global network and asks staff to go on leave
Cathay Pacific cuts India flights

Now, Cathay Pacific has decided to temporarily close three of its premium lounges at Hong Kong International Airport, as the virus causes unparalleled capacity cuts across the system. Cathay Pacific has decided to shut down three out of their six lounges across the HKG Airport from February 17, 2020, onwards “until further notice”.

The Bridge (Business Class and oneworld Sapphire)
The Deck (Business Class and oneworld Sapphire)
The Pier (First Class and oneworld Emerald)

The Pier: Cathay Pacific’s First Class Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport

However, the airline still has lounges open in Hong Kong, so it is not like the eligible customers will not have any lounges to visit. The following lounges will continue to be open to eligible passengers:

The Pier (Business Class and oneworld Sapphire)
The Wing (First Class and oneworld Emerald)
The Wing (Business Class and oneworld Sapphire)

The Bridge: Cathay Pacific’s Business Class Lounge at HKIA

Cathay Pacific, in a statement, said,

In addition, to further enhance our health and safety protocols at our lounges at HKIA, Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport, we will be modifying the buffet to individually packed food options supplemented by the provision of made-to-order hot food from the Noodle Bar.

We apologise for the inconvenience caused to our customers and appreciate their understanding.

However, this is not the end of the road for eligible customers passing through Hong Kong International airport. There is the Qantas Lounge operational at Hong Kong International Airport.

And there are a couple of other solid options available in Hong Kong as well, including for Amex and Priority Pass holders.

The American Express Centurion Lounge in Hong Kong is a reliable option to spend a few hours as long as you have an American Express Platinum Card.

a group of people sitting at tables in a restaurant

For all Priority Pass users, there is the Plaza Premium First Lounge, which costs a small copay but is worth it. The regular Plaza Premium Lounge also exists.

Plaza Premium First Lounge Hong Kong

In summary, there will be a considerable loss of capacity at Hong Kong International Airport for premium lounge capacity, in line with the cutbacks of the flight capacity. Even the experience has been moved from buffets to packaged food for the moment.

What do you make out of the loss of the lounges at Hong Kong for the moment? When do you see these lounges coming back?