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Cathay Pacific unveiled its newly redesigned flagship lounge at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) today. It extends the airline’s human-centric design philosophy and reaffirms its commitment to customers in the Chinese Mainland. The refreshed lounge represents a key part of the airline’s extensive lounge enhancement plan and follows the reopening of The Bridge at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) earlier this year.
Cathay Pacific currently operates three lounges in the Chinese Mainland: the redesigned one at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), a space at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), and its first-ever ferry port lounge at the Shekou Cruise Home Port in Shenzhen for intermodal passengers. The Beijing lounge has been thoughtfully designed to align with its surroundings. This includes the orientation of windows and roofing to optimize natural light and enhance views of the airport. Finishes like cherry wood and limestone create a warm, residential ambiance.
Guests are welcomed at a new podium-style reception. This was first introduced at The Bridge in Hong Kong and ensures a more personal check-in experience. Notably, the Beijing lounge is the first outside Hong Kong to feature Lounge Ambassadors, who provide personalized service for Cathay’s premium passengers.
Culinary offerings are a central highlight, with three distinctive dining propositions:
- The Noodle Bar: a Cathay Pacific icon serving freshly prepared wonton noodles, dan dan noodles, and local Beijing favorites like zhájiàngmiàn (bean paste noodles).
- The Food Hall: a bright, contemporary space featuring a variety of international dishes, wholesome salads, and baked goods.
- The Teahouse: making its debut outside Hong Kong, this dedicated tea space allows guests to enjoy Chinese teas brewed by Cathay’s tea specialists (sourced from renowned tea regions across China).
The Terrace offers a light-filled verandah environment, complete with bespoke Solo Chairs. Guests can also explore a curated art collection developed in collaboration with contributors to Cathay Pacific’s Gallery in the Skies program. The pieces range from contemporary calligraphy to whimsical works on boarding passes.
The redesigned Beijing lounge joins Cathay Pacific’s growing portfolio of premium spaces across its network. In Hong Kong, The Deck has recently been converted into an interim First Class lounge while The Wing, First undergoes renovations (scheduled to reopen in 2026), followed by The Wing, Business. Customers can also continue to enjoy The Pier, First and The Pier, Business at the airline’s hub.
As part of the Cathay Group’s more than HK$100 billion investment into aircraft, cabins, lounges, and digital innovations, the airline plans to launch additional flagship lounges at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and (for the first time ever) at New York John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Anthony’s Take: I’ve never flown Cathay Pacific, but plan to when I next visit Hong Kong. We’ll likely go elsewhere in Asia and Cathay has the best network from there. With my newly minted Platinum Pro status from American Airlines, I’d be able to access Cathay’s lounges there (as it comes with oneworld® Emerald status).
(Image Credits: Cathay Pacific.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
