The Pier
 

I had the opportunity to visit the new CX First/Business class lounge yesterday, so I'd like to share some info with you all.

It is located near Gate 63 and extends all the way to around gate 65-67. Its actually one level below the departure gates and there are two lifts (1 for F, 1 for J) and an escalator to get you down there.

Business Class Lounge

In the J-class lounge, there is a large seating area, with nice Italian fabric furniture, all with electrical sockets and I believe a dataport. The Noodle Bar is at the end of the lounge and of course you have the shower rooms and toilets (each cubicle has its own wash basin), interesting tiles too, pebbles "melted" in transparent marble. In the middle section of the lounge is a work area with computers all hooked up to the internet, I didn't count the number of computers but its in the range of 15-20 (in the J-class lounge alone). There's also a "Smoking Bar", a "Long Bar", a "Short Bar" in that area.

First Class Lounge

All sofas are leather and are very comfortable, there's also a work area with computers (around 10-15). The Haven, with its fabulous buffet is at end of the lounge. The Cabanas don't exist, but in its place is what I find even better. Its called the "Day-Break Rooms", and there are 6 of them, so get yours early. Inside is a nice couch and next to it on the wall is a LCD panel which controls: lighting, TV, CD player, the blind (which is actually a wooden partition to a panel of frosted glass with bamboo inside), and also service call. In front of you is a larger LCD panel to watch TV and choose the CDs which you'd like. Of course there are still shower booths with all the amenties.

There are BIG LCD screens throughout the whole lounge for TV and boarding info. The J lounge is decorated in a lighter colour(light-coloured wood and carpet), whereas the F lounge is in a darker shade (dark wood and dark purple carpets).

I'm sure no one can complain about the food, its still done by the Peninsula Group.

All in all, I actually found the Pier to be more comfortable than the Wing, maybe I'm one of those who like a ceiling rather than open space. The ventilation, I can say, is far better than the Wing since its an enclosed area so they can control the a/c better. I'd seriously recommend the "Day-Break rooms" if you're travelling alone, its out of this world!

It will be opened on the 16th of November and with all the Australian flights parked on that side of the terminal, I'm sure it'll be a big hit.

p.s. sorry about not having any pics

Thanks for the update! Sounds like another great place to visit. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I wish they would put two things in the Wing F lounge
1) a flat screen TV like the one they put on the wall of the new BKK CX FCL lounge so those who wish to can catch up with CNN and what's happening
2) flight info monitors at both ends of the Wing FCL lounge instead of just one

Cathay Pacific Opens 'The Pier' - 2nd Premium Lounge in Hong Kong

Cathay Pacific Airways today opened the doors to The Pier, its new lounge at Hong Kong International Airport. The Pier offers a number of new features including a Juice Bar, exclusive Day-Break Rooms, three bars and two restaurants, 60 broadband-connected computers and a wireless LAN for connecting with laptop computers. It is located between gates 62 and 66 and so is ideal for passengers transiting or departing from gates near the Northwest concourse of Hong Kong's vast modern airport.

The Pier covers 3,900 square metres and is the airline's second lounge at the airport. Its first -- The Wing -- was opened in 1998 and was last month named first in a Forbes magazine list of The World's Ten Best Airport Lounges.

After presenting a commemorative gift to the very first passenger to visit The Pier, Cathay Pacific Director Service Delivery Robert Cutler said: ``The Pier is a fantastic new facility for our passengers in Hong Kong, and is evidence that even though this is a tough time for the airline industry Cathay Pacific is still delivering premium products.''

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011119/lam102_1.html

Thanks for the report.

I do not know much aboiuyt HKG, but how close is this lounge to The Wing? Like what gates?

And in general flights to where would leave from gates near The Wing, and flights to where would leave from gates near The Pier?

I think that a lounge that is more enclosed above is better (with a ceiling.)

The reason THE PIER was built is because Cathay Pacific started parking most of their flights now at the fare end of the Y shaped terminal that's about 1/2 mile away! PAssengers who use THE WING have to get to the gate at least 20 minutes prior and with the travelling time thrown in on the TRAIN, you're looking at least 30-40 mins.

THE PIER is great for CX's departures departing from gates 60-80. The First Class lounge is smaller than THE WING'S but I like it as it's cozier. I saw some familiar faces at THE PIER yesterday while passing through from LAX enroute to SIN.

All in all, again, CX has epitomized the luxury of travel and in lounges!

This is from a topic in the DL forum and has snipits about the Pier vs. Wing. The second section is a quotation from number 6.

<<<<
"Just came off a few flights with various champagnes. I don't recall any of the wineries but I know the carriers: QF, DL, CX and NW.
All of the travel was in the front cabin. CX and QF had Krug in the air in their services which had First. A few of my QF flights had Krug on the ground in First also. All of the domestic QF, CX on the ground, along with ALL of the DL and NW flights had something other.

Of course it is a matter of taste but I highly prefer Krug over everything else. Even over what was served in the Wing and Pier dining areas was not as good.

These trips were the first to the Pier and I highly recommend them over the Wing. Much more quiet and secluded. THe sitting/relaxing rooms are great. Just wish they had a shower. Dinner was fabulous and there are plentiful computers. Even more in the Biz section of the pier.

Make sure that if you are going to the Wing from somewhere near gate 1, that you take the train. Look for the escalator that goes down one more level from departures, then get on the train to something like gates 60-85. It is a very long walk if you don't. Trust me "


quote: from number_6


"CX usually serves Krug on the ground (on the plane), rarely it is not available for some technical reason.
Agree with your comments on the Pier, it is nicer than the Wing in some ways. There are showers available (in both the F and C sides of the Pier). The F showers at the Pier are nicer than the showers at the Wing, to make up for the lack of a cabana. Instead they have the day rooms. Most importantly the computer service and wireless coverage is vastly better than at the Wing.
Your excellent advice for using the train is of course for getting to the Pier ... still walk to the Wing, sans train. "

quote: from ChrisMoss7


"Number 6,

Thanks for clarifying my point about the train.

Yes, walk to the Wing if you just entered the airport but take the train if you are heading to the Pier. Or if you are coming from say gates 70 through 50 and going to the Wing or gates closer to the front, take the train back.

And I completely agree about the showers in the Pier. I remember saying to myself "I don't remember the Wing showers being this good."

THe dining service was decent. I think BA's pre-flight service in LHR is better. The meals are made to order so are much more fresh. The ambience is better for HKG because the dining area is seperated from the rest of the lounge.

And for everyone else who may not do too much traveling through HKG, all of the Wing and Pier's First Class amenities (dining, dayrooms, showers, etc.) are available to all Emerald status card holders, even when traveling coach, as long as the onward service is on a 1W carrier.

I am clarifying this because BA seems to have a little bit of a different policy. If memory serves, you can't get into the Concorde/First lounge in LHR or JFK unless you are flying specifically BA First or Concorde.

I haven't been in the JFK F lounge since they finished the remodeling. How is it?"



>>>>

I also think the Pier is preferable over the Wing, much more quiet and relaxing. However it did not open until 9 am and an early arrival from LAX still necessitates the Wing.

The Pier is supposed to be open from 8 AM until 11:30 PM.

Anyone know if the Pier has the wireless network? I know that the Wing does.

Which Lounge is closer to gates for the CX to BKK and LAX, and the arrivals from BKK and LAX?

Or putting it another way, which lounge is most convenient for CX flights to and from LAX and BKK?

The Pier has a much better wireless network then The Wing (though The Wing has greatly improved in the past month). Also many more PCs (dozens) are available at The Pier.

As for gate location, generally the NA flights use gates close to The Wing while the regional flights use gates near The Pier.
But there is a lot of variation, it is not predictable in advance. Nor does it matter very much, both lounges are great!