In the coming weeks, Cathay Pacific is expected to reopen a lounge that was “permanently” closed a few years back…
The Bridge Lounge returns to Hong Kong in late 2024
Executive Traveller reports that Cathay Pacific plans to reopen The Bridge Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) before the end of 2024.
For context, this lounge first opened back in 2013. Then it closed in 2020, at the start of the pandemic, when demand for travel to and from Hong Kong collapsed. Then in 2021, the airline announced it would permanently close this lounge. Well, the airline has had a change of heart.
While the exact opening date remains to be seen, this 27,000+ square foot lounge is located near gate 35, and will add some much needed lounge capacity over the next few years.
Currently Cathay Pacific’s primary pair of lounges in Hong Kong are The Pier and The Wing, with each having both a first class and business class section. The Bridge was the next biggest lounge, and it was a shared space, following standard oneworld lounge access rules.
The Bridge has both a north and south wing, extending from the central reception area. Back in the day, the north portion of the lounge featured The Bakery, with freshly baked bread and pizzas, as well as sandwiches, pastries, Asian and Western soups, and fresh salads. It also had the Long Bar, along with a television lounge and general seating area.
Meanwhile the south portion of the lounge featured The Bistro, a self-service area with Asian and Western hot dishes, and cold food selections, including desserts and salads. There was also the Coffee Loft, serving freshly brewed coffee and specialty tea, along with pastries, cookies, and more. The nine shower suites were also in this portion of the lounge.
We’ll see if the airline maintains the same concept when the lounge reopens. Below are some pictures of The Bridge from back when it opened in 2013 (ugh, I miss those Cathay Pacific 747-400s, and plentiful award availability in first class… those were the days!!!).
The timing of the lounge reopening is no coincidence
Cathay Pacific is reopening The Bridge at the same time that The Wing is expected to undergo a major refresh, and once again become the carrier’s flagship lounge. That project is expected to last from late 2024 until 2027, and we’ll see the first class section closed first, followed by the business class section going under the knife.
So The Bridge will add some lounge capacity when the airline most needs it. It’s not yet clear if The Bridge is reopening as a temporary solution during the renovation, or if it sticks around in the long run. I would speculate that it will stay open in the long run, barring any major downturn in demand. After all, Cathay Pacific has some decent growth plans.
I’m also curious if The Bridge continues to be a single, shared lounge, or if we see it broken up into two distinct zones. For example, since the lounge has two wings, could we see one wing dedicated to first class passengers and oneworld Emerald members, and the other wing dedicated to business class passengers and oneworld Sapphire members? After all, that would be the most direct replacement for what The Wing offers.
Bottom line
Cathay Pacific plans to reopen The Bridge Hong Kong in late 2024. The lounge opened over a decade ago, but was closed in 2020, and the plan was for that closure to be permanent. However, the airline is now backtracking, as it prepares to close The Wing, in order to renovate it.
I’m impressed that Cathay Pacific has a plan to address the lounge capacity shortage that will exist while The Wing is renovated. Updating airport lounges can be complicated, and it’s nice that Cathay Pacific has this “lever” to pull.
What do you make of Cathay Pacific reopening The Bridge?
