If you’ve ever dreamed of sinking into one of Cathay Pacific’s legendary cabanas at The Wing in Hong Kong, you’re too late. They’re gone.
The airline’s flagship first class lounge, The Wing, First, reopens on April 22, 2026, after 11 months of renovation. The 1,675-square-metre space has been completely redesigned by London-based StudioIlse, and while it keeps the iconic green onyx, almost everything else is new. A spa concept replaces the cabanas, a fine dining partnership with Mott 32 anchors the food program, and a tighter access policy will turn away some oneworld Emerald members at the door.
Inside the Redesigned Lounge
The Wing, First sits on Level 7 of Terminal 1 at Hong Kong International Airport, with capacity for 237 guests. It opens daily at 5:30am and runs until Cathay Pacific’s last departure of the day.
Green onyx remains the anchor material, but the redesign introduces walnut wood across a range of finishes and granite flooring for the first time in any Cathay lounge. The granite is a nod to traditional Chinese architecture, and the overall effect is warmer and more residential than the outgoing design.
Distinct zones divide the space. The Atrium serves as the central hub, with casual dining that shifts throughout the day – lighter wellness-led options at breakfast, afternoon tea service, and bistro-style fare in the evening.
For a sit-down meal, The Dining Room features à la carte table service through a partnership with Mott 32, the award-winning Hong Kong restaurant. Expect dishes like Iberico char siew with honeyed soy beans and Australian wagyu hanger steak, with a seasonal menu that rotates.
The Cabanas Are Gone
This is the headline that will sting the most for frequent flyers. The Wing’s cabanas – private suites with deep soaking tubs, rain showers, and day beds – were one of the most iconic lounge features in aviation. They’re not coming back.
In their place is The Retreat, a wellness space with seven private booths offering complimentary 15-minute massages (foot, neck, or shoulder). You can book a slot through the Cathay app up to 48 hours in advance.
Whether that’s an upgrade or a downgrade depends on who you ask. A complimentary massage is a nice touch, but it’s not the same as a private suite with a soaking tub before a 16-hour flight.
Elsewhere, there are 12 shower suites with new water and lighting modes, five semi-private nooks in The Alcove for charging and quiet time, and two fully enclosed workspaces in The Bureau for calls or meetings.
Who Gets In (and Who Doesn’t)
Access is more restricted than before, at least initially.
During the opening period, The Wing, First is open to Cathay Pacific first class passengers, Cathay Diamond members and above, and SCB Cathay Mastercard First Class pass holders. Each can bring one to two guests.
Notably, oneworld Emerald members and first class passengers on other oneworld airlines will not have access to The Wing, First for now. They’ll be directed to The Pier, First instead, which is still an excellent lounge, but it’s a clear hierarchy play.
Cathay Pacific says the restriction is temporary, meant to “maintain consistently high service standards” during the ramp-up. But there’s no confirmed date for when broader access returns. If the trend we’ve seen with United’s Polaris lounge restrictions is any indication, “temporary” can stretch a long time.
For most of us, the realistic path into The Wing, First is a first class redemption rather than earning Diamond status. Cathay Pacific operates direct flights from Vancouver (YVR) to Hong Kong, and Asia Miles are the most direct way to book. Check our guide to Asia Miles redemptions for current award pricing.
You can earn Asia Miles through the Cathay World Elite® Mastercard® – Powered by Neo or by transferring from Amex Membership Rewards or RBC Avion. British Airways Avios, transferable from both Amex MR and RBC Avion, can also book Cathay Pacific first class through oneworld.
Conclusion
The loss of the cabanas will sting for anyone who experienced them. No amount of wellness booths can fully replace the experience of a private suite with a soaking tub at 30,000 feet above sea level (so to speak).
But the rest of the redesign looks strong. The Mott 32 dining partnership, expanded shower suites, and refined residential design all point to a lounge that’s trying to set a new standard rather than just patch up the old one. If you’re planning a trip through Hong Kong in first class, this reopening is worth building an itinerary around.
Keep an eye on The Wing, Business, too. It closes on April 23 for its own renovation and reopens in mid-2027. If it follows the same playbook, Cathay Pacific will have the most complete lounge portfolio in Asia.
This story originally appeared on princeoftravel
