Few experiences can invigorate the senses after a lengthy 15-hour flight from New York quite like indulging in a bowl of freshly prepared dan dan noodles, savoring a rich egg tart (or perhaps indulging in four), and enjoying a hot cup of fragrant jasmine tea, all while taking in the breathtaking views of Hong Kong's majestic mountains. The aromatic flavors and the panoramic blue-green horizon, often cloaked in mist, serve as a reminder of my roots in Asia—the region that I hold dear as home. Experiencing this sense of familiarity and connection is a remarkable treat, and remarkably, it can all be enjoyed without ever stepping foot outside the airport.
This was exactly my experience during a winter layover last year. En route to visit family in Manila, I found myself at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), where I enjoyed an eight-hour stay at Cathay Pacific’s newly refurbished business class lounge, The Bridge. Originally opened in 2013, the lounge was temporarily labeled “permanently closed” during the pandemic. However, with the resurgence of business travel, Cathay Pacific took the opportunity to renovate the space.
The Bridge was officially reopened in May 2025, perfectly timed with Cathay Pacific's 80th anniversary celebrations. This reopening also aligns with the introduction of the airline's state-of-the-art business class product—the Aria Suite—now offered on daily flights from Hong Kong to San Francisco, London, Frankfurt, Sydney, Melbourne, Tokyo-Haneda, and Vancouver, as well as Milan three times a week.
Frequent flyers of Cathay Pacific, like myself, have long appreciated The Bridge for its sweeping vistas of Hong Kong’s mountainous terrain and its prime location within HKG’s Terminal 1, conveniently situated near Gate 35. This lounge is one of three business class lounges managed by Cathay, alongside The Wing, Business near Gate 2, and The Pier, Business, near Gate 65. Spanning over 29,000 square feet and accommodating more than 500 guests, The Bridge provides ample space for travelers to unwind before their journeys.
Accessing the lounge is straightforward, with abundant signage guiding the way. Upon my arrival, I descended an escalator to the main entrance, where friendly Cathay Pacific staff greeted me, validated my boarding passes, and provided an overview of the lounge's layout, which is divided into two distinct wings. Each wing features wall-to-wall windows that offer expansive views of the airport's apron and runway along with the distant mountains, ensuring an abundance of natural light. Far from being a dreary, windowless space, The Bridge's design—characterized by rich woods, forest green furnishings, warm lighting, and tasteful technological amenities (such as discreet electrical outlets in the side tables)—evokes a sophisticated home or upscale residential hotel.
The northside wing of The Bridge includes a tranquil relaxation room, a full-service bar, and a vibrant "food hall" featuring an array of international offerings, including roasted porchetta, potato and kale gratin, and various vol-au-vent pastries filled with beef bolognese and poached salmon. While the diversity of dishes was appealing, I found myself drawn to the southside wing, dedicated exclusively to Chinese cuisine. Here, travelers can enjoy Cathay Pacific’s signature Noodle Bar, which serves made-to-order bowls of soups, wontons, dan dan noodles, and more. This wing also houses The Nook, where a dim sum cart reminiscent of those found in traditional Hong Kong restaurants serves up local specialties like scallion pancakes and shredded chicken gua bao with ginger and scallion oil. As a traveler with a keen interest in culinary experiences, I made it a point to sample a variety of dishes, from shrimp fried rice to stewed lamb with bamboo shoots. While time constraints prevented a more extensive exploration of Hong Kong itself, this culinary adventure was certainly the next best thing.
Cultural elements were also woven into the experience at The Bridge through a curated selection of artwork. The lounge showcased pieces created by local Hong Kong artists, strategically placed throughout the space—from large-scale paintings above couches to smaller works adorning corner walls. A standout piece was an oil-on-wood-panel artwork by emerging artist Lau Yin Yeung, titled Ferry gliding through the sea of fog. The painting aptly depicts a small vessel navigating through thick fog, dwarfed by a mountain on the horizon, rendered in delicate shades of yellow and blue. As I shifted my gaze from the painting to the expansive windows, I couldn't help but perceive the airport runway through a similarly romantic haze. (Whether it was the influence of the artwork or the three glasses of Champagne I had enjoyed remains a question for debate.)
Share this story