The airline’s flagship First Class lounge has returned with a refined redesign by StudioIlse, deepening the signature blend of residential warmth and quiet luxury.
Cathay Pacific has reopened The Wing, First — its flagship lounge at Hong Kong International Airport — following a considered redesign that the airline describes as a thoughtful evolution rather than a wholesale reinvention.
The lounge, located on the east side of Terminal 1 and accessible to First Class passengers, has been refreshed in ongoing collaboration with London-based interior design studio StudioIlse, the practice behind the lounge’s original residential character and, most recently, the redesign of Cathay’s The Bridge lounge in Hong Kong and the Cathay Pacific Lounge in Beijing.
What’s New in the Redesigned Wing, First
The redesign retains the lounge’s defining qualities — generous natural light, a sense of private-residence calm, unhurried service — while introducing a more contemporary material palette. Rich walnut appears in varied finishes throughout, complemented by cool green onyx and stone detailing that StudioIlse has described as a nod to traditional Chinese courtyard architecture. The combination creates a space that feels both current and quietly rooted.
Privacy has been meaningfully enhanced without sacrificing the lounge’s celebrated sense of openness. New seating configurations allow for genuine solitude alongside areas designed for more relaxed social ease. Dining has also been reimagined, with a holistic approach that positions meals as a considered part of the pre-flight experience rather than a functional pause within it.
Part of a Broader Cathay Pacific Lounge Expansion
The Wing, First reopening is the latest milestone in Cathay Pacific’s multi-year lounge enhancement programme. Following the redesigns of The Bridge and the Beijing lounge, the airline is continuing its investment in ground-level experience across its network.
Later in 2026, Cathay Pacific will open its first dedicated lounge in New York, as part of the airline’s move into the new Terminal 6 at John F. Kennedy International Airport. In Hong Kong, The Wing, Business will close for its own renovation later this year, with a reopening expected in 2027.
Access and Details
The Wing, First is located at the east end of Terminal 1, Hong Kong International Airport. The lounge is available to Cathay Pacific First Class passengers and eligible frequent flyer members.
