It depends.

Although with the CX251 (2355) and CX255 (0045) almost always being allocated preferred gates the odds are tipped slightly in favour of a Pier rather than Wing gate.

I took that flight back in February and it was gate 29. It was almost exactly the same distance to either lounge and no train to help out. It's no big deal as the luggage carts are available everywhere and free of charge and moving sidewalks get you there quickly. Any airport purchases should be made earlier, because I found that most of the shops were closed or closing when I made my way to the gate.

I wonder if the Concorde Room will disintegrate into nothing special?

Otherwise, I heard The Pier had a spa...it's too bad it closed.

As a matter of historical correctness, the Elemis Spa was adjacent to The Wing, not The Pier.

I'm only planning on picking up things only on my return leg, but thanks for the reminder! I think I will stay at the Wing because it's just a simple left turn once I clear the baggage scans, and CX happens to give me a free airport buggy ride to my gate. Thank you all! :)

And it wasn't free.

Flying CX HKG to TPE. How do I know which lounge I get access to, the Wing or the Pier? Also, is it worth the extra $50 to fly in F as opposed to J for this short flight? Does it give better access in the lounges?

You are encouraged by CX to go to the lounge closest to your boarding gate. So, the short answer is that you don't know which lounge you get access to, or at least not until the gate assignments are posted on the day of your flight. I'm sure the CX agent will tell you.

Unless you are oneworld emerald, F lounges are (obviously) restricted to F class passengers only. And there is quite a big difference between CX's F and J lounges (the buffet restaurant in F compared to the noodle bar in J, for example).

I think this is easily worth $50.

The Wing is just passed security on your left. The Peir is out closer to your gate (probably). Last week, for the 10:10 AM flight (CX 450), the HKG-TPE flight left from gate 41 and the Pier is at Gate 62 (not far, maybe 5 minute walk).

The flight is short, but you will get a quick full meal (no caviar), and of course, good champagne and other good stuff, plus you may get lucky like me and have the whole cabin to yourself. ;) Either way, the load is likely to be light, so you will get great service/attention.

So, for $50, go and enjoy the lounges and have a nice flight!

Skye: How come it's free for you? I asked and they said it would be 50 HKD. :confused:

I believe Diamond or flying in F gets you a free buggy ride if the gate is one of the far ones.

Really? Now you tell me? Could have used it on a couple of JNB runs.

If the gate is far, they'll hand me a stamped coupon that I can exchange for a free buggy ride. The ride is $40, I think.

It's only for Diamond (or it used to be). I was flying with the Mr B-HXB in F from LHR to AKL, the gate was 65 but the lounge agent on duty was adamant that only I could get the buggy coupon since I was diamond and he was only gold.

A request to speak a supervisor solved that problem easily enough.

If you're eligible for the coupon, it's issued automatically at check-in (if you're transiting you'll need to know to ask for it).

I don't think flying in paid F works, as I asked at the Pier (becuase I only had a few minutes to check out both lounges and wanted to extend the opportunity), and I was told it was HKD $50 for a ride.

I guess OW Emerald doesn't count, but I didn't press the point...

Must only be for CX DIamond.