Thank you for confirming!

Was asking given tfung post 224.

No. The photo at 224 is not the 18.

Thank you. I was referring to the above comment. But it would appear from other comments that there is no segregated dining area.

I ended up visiting the Wing First on Friday night because I saw that it wasn’t very crowded (i.e. no lines ups at all) in the evening (around 7:00pm).

I prefer the Pier First for its ambience. For me, I am not a fan of “open air” lounges, and the Wing First is a bit too bright for me. Of course, the dining room is enclosed, but I felt that the seating and tables at the Wing have been placed closer together than those at the Pier. So, the Wing felt more crowded.

Thanks for sharing, good experience all around it seems.

I thought CX would serve F wine list at The 18 (comparable to Chelsea at JFK), guess not.


Will update more about The 18 when I travel to LAX next week on 880, the experience might be different at night.

I don't fly through HKG often and I have to say the signs for lounges are confusing as they just say "Lounge" with vague arrows and then directions disappear. Genuinely couldn't find the Wing on the 22nd when flying through. Ended up down stairs at Business who said go back to level 7, I went back up in circles and couldn't see the entrance so just walked to Pier which was miles away from my gate lol. Maybe it was the jet lag.

I asked the staff and this room is not exclusively for DMP and F pax. She said it operates on flexible basis.It's located next to the reception
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cbb197fa83.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ccf745c97a.jpg

This was 8pm on Monday.. Very quiet and much more civilized.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7d3ab98924.jpg

Thank you - one less element for me to sample in about 3 hours!

Lovely, but I have no idea how this can take more people
 

I went today for the first time.

It's nice. I'm sure we'll figure out more as it goes along, I find the hot takes don't always stick. In the old version of Pier F, I previously loved the old casual area in the back (nearest J) with the open communal seating, and was a sucker for watching planes if I ever had time at that lounge counter, and that vibe is not really present in the new design. Much more carpet and Pier F style. And no bar really facing the planes except a few double tables. But it's still quite nice.

It's very spaciously laid out. They didn't aggressively cram it up. For this reason it feels lovely. But there is a cost to that and that cost is comfortable occupancy I believe

The biggest issue, clearly: the back, "main" dining room is considerably smaller than the Piers. Sure you can jam more people up in the front area but that outside dining took over lounging space from elsewhere. I doubt I'm going out on a limb saying this is going to be packed when (if?) OWEs are allowed in. The only way they're going to be able to feed people is if they convert the outside dining room in the middle (by the bar) to overflow and offer the main dining room menu.

I love what they've done with two distinct dining areas but about the only hot take I feel confident in is no way this design idea survives the full river of DM + partner OWE.

Today I was there just after noon. It was NOT busy overall. The whole lounge was very comfortable. Airy. Lots of seats open. Staff commented it was calm. But, the back dining room was almost completely full even at this unbusy time. Morning time or late nights obviously there will be a line for a meal there, maybe a long one, even with only Diamonds + F. It's going to sure be interesting if OWEs join the party.

Someone asked a Q above if the back entrance is open. It is not, I asked today. They said one single entrance for now. It's possible as construction progresses on the J side that elevator or stair would open, is what I was told. But not now.

Great review from QRC3288 which covers a lot of territory and I agree with his observations. It is a wonderful refurb and a lovely space. The acoustic issues that the lounge had in its prior refit (and which required significant remedial work to the dining area ceiling as I recall) are no longer and the back dining area is incredibly nice, albeit with much less capacity as has been noted. I am there now and very much off peak time but I can imagine it being mayhem at 0700.

One of the team gave me and my wife a great tour and then handed over to the Lounge Ambassador. Both incredibly friendly and keen to hear our thoughts and feedback.Excellent squid starter and hangar steak and chicken main dishes in the dining room.

Now onto the 18 - I actually counted 14 seats - 5 tables for 2 and 4 bar seats and I am afraid to say the earlier comment is indeed correct. I understand the concept of a speakeasy but this needs tweaking. It is too cold when there are few guests and the flight announcements are far too intrusive. The space itself does not leave one inclined to stay too long IMHO. I love the idea but it is a very bland even slightly claustrophobic affair. Unless you are travelling with colleagues all in F or all DMP (a fairly unlikely scenario) I can’t imagine a lengthy stay there notwithstanding the excellent champagnes and wines on offer.

JMHO of course.

Thanks for the insights on The 18. Can you share more on the champagne and wine selection?

I focused on the champagne:

Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2017
Bollinger Grand Annee 2015

And three wines one a Cheval of some description, a Lynch Bages 2009, and a Chinese one. Sorry for lack of detail here. Wasn’t paying attention.

Then a 15 year old Cathay co-branded Glenfarclas whiskey.

Only these 6 when I visited.

Not exactly Clos d’Ambonnay

Come to think of it, it's a bit like JAL HND's Salon Bar https://onemileatatime.com/insights/...lounge-haneda/ . But rather than just hiding it, they're both hiding and restricting access to it.
Took my nephew to Salon Bar last time the clan was in Haneda (his seat, but my miles and my recommendation). Left the rest of the clan in the CX lounge that day.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7af4e44cb.jpeg

Indeed - I was expecting a bit more to be honest. I suspect it will evolve into something more compelling in the future (the barman did say the drinks menu would likely evolve) but frankly the rest of the lounge is so nice I wouldn’t make a beeline for it.