ex-HKG Fare paying DM here.

I used the Cabanas on multiple occasions to take Zoom meetings that were scheduled within a short time of my departure, making it impossible to take them before leaving for the airport, in which case I'd get to the airport early enough to get a Cabana and take the calls in privacy. It was super useful and productive.

Granted, this was probably not a common usage case.

CX probably thinks The Wing will be a “come and go” lounge for most ex-HKG departures pax so expanding the dining area makes sense. They assume most DMs prefer to stop by The Wing for a bite then head off to gates, which is most likely the case. With no Cabanas or day suites, I don’t see how people would like to hang in the lounge unless flight delays or with long layovers.

I am intrigued to find out the quality of the F&B in vs The Pier. It is still provided by Sodexo. Have they “elevated” that part as The Pier menus are repetitive and underwhelming.

ex-XXX cheapo transit fare arbitrager OWE here.

I used the Cabanas on multiple occasions to take up the room to relax when I could have spent in rest area 3-4 ahead of my departure, making it impossible to stay in office to work longer and piss take. It was super useful and non-productive but restful.

Granted, this is the people most DM hate the most, i guess. and now it's gone.
:p

I am a OWE only opportunistically, I made a corner office out of Pier J when I can WFH and decided to check in early and WFL instead

https://imgur.com/a/FF7VkX0

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6297b07b7.jpeg

Writing from the dining room and the staff here is visibly frustrated and playing the blame game for delays etc

Can definitely say that catering here is a lot better than The Pier.

Can or can’t? If the former, in what way?

I see I am not the only one... also an ex-HKG DM.... LOL

I ordered the Iberico Char Siu and Pickled Pepper fish so the comparison is uneven against the stale Pier menu but on first impressions, they separate the ingredients a lot better here at Wing F and there is a larger variety of dishes here. Everything here feels it’s kept original texture and shape while dishes in Pier felt like slop like they had been amalgamated into one dish (e.g. veal and mashed potatoes)

exactly my frequent use case too! :)

a few observations from reading the above:

*the food of course is going to be fantastic at The Wing to start. That's how these things always are at the outset! I wouldn't expect that quality to hold long term, sorry to throw cold water (but at least for 3-6 months). it will eventually be harmonized.
*not permitting OWE demonstratse that least a large % of CX's lounge occupancy are non-DMs, IMO. not trying to start a debate here about value of certain pax or what should or shouldn't it be the case, just observing the facts about sheer numbers in the lounge, I think this opening day decision is proof positive that OWEs are a large % of CX lounge occupancy.
*it doesn't sound inspiring to me that Wing F is already totally full for a morning rush without OWEs! yes opening day, but how are they going to accomodate crowds if/when they open fully to OWEs? I'm of the view this is truly intended to be temporary, they're not actually going to ban OWEs forever. But old Wing F struggled at rush hour. If new Wing F is even worse at rush hour with only DMs, what will it be like with everyone allowed in who is entitled? I know it's opening day. But still a bit concerning no?

I agree with HKGglobaltrotter above, that Wing F is preferred by DMs due to its convenience to the F desks and immigration. The Wing being down for a year, definitely made the CX experience at HKG slightly worse IMO (despite what is a near-perfect airport experience, with no offense to SQ, but even without the special F Class checkin thing and private room, CX at HKG wins hands down IMO). The fact The Wing is positioned where it is, is such a boon to those of us who are departing from HKG multiple times per month. I am a last minute at the airport person, Wing F open is a welcome option. Even if it's just for 10 minutes to grab something.

Not to forget next year there will be more DMs as it is much easier to reach under the revamped program. So capacity could definitely be an issue!

forgot about that. Regular DM is definitely eaiser to hit now, with the introduction of points rollover + no more "reset" feature for those moving up the ranks.

I'm currently maintaining a pace to hit Diamond Executive, or close enough so that 4Q I can shift some business and hit it. Kinda hoping CX will announce some additional differentiators. Sounds like that special private bar in the Wing won't be it. Understandable given how small, but I still think silly given how CX has gut the F routes and how few DMPs there are. Perhaps CX is still working out themselves just how many DM Executives they'll have, whether they'll expand DMP, what the F route network will look like in 2027.

If absolutely nothing new is added to the Diamond Executive status, I guess I'll have to make a gametime decision in the second half this year whether I should do it or not. Since it definitely requires me shifting some business around from non-CX / non-OW carriers.

Still feels like an exciting time to be a CX member.

Unpopular view here
But I won't begrudge CX for playing the capacity card at Wing indefinitely - partner elites and partner J/F - send them down to Bridge/Wing.

Perhaps it should for own J pax also, at high gates. At least, "encourage" them *to use the lounges closer to their gates.

What I hope wouldn't happen - but of course couldn't have a say on - is if Pier food and drink gets dumbed down in favour of Wing.

Isn't it own staff now (non-CX uniformed staff are Sodexo) https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...l#post36561953 ?

Catering is still provided by Sodexo but the lounge is manned by CX own staff (those in CX uniforms are all CX hires).