If you’re flying Cathay Pacific, there’s a good chance you’ll pass through Hong Kong International Airport. Cathay or Dragonair business-class and first-class passengers could access an arrivals lounge after entering Hong Kong. This lounge was located outside the secure area, underneath the Airport Express station, making it a convenient place to wait for someone or take a short rest.
Who can enter The Arrival
Eligible guests for The Arrival included:
- Arriving Cathay or Dragonair business-class and first-class passengers;
- Marco Polo Club Gold or Diamond members arriving on Cathay or Dragonair flights;
- oneworld Emerald elite members arriving on Cathay or Dragonair flights
Where The Arrival is located
After arrival, go through immigration. Travelers holding a Chinese passport could enter Hong Kong directly for seven days for the purpose of transit, or continue onward into mainland China by land. Then just follow the signs for the Airport Express.
As you can see, the Airport Express is above, while the passageway below leads toward the lounge. The Arrival is located in that corridor. Directly across from it is a Plaza Premium Lounge, which can be accessed with Priority Pass Select.
Since I entered Hong Kong on a Cathay business-class ticket, I simply handed the lounge invitation to the staff at the entrance.
The Arrival
The Arrival wasn’t very large—about the size of a typical Hong Kong cha chaan teng, though of course with a more elegant interior.
The dining area also wasn’t very big, but you could order food on the spot. I had a bowl of beef noodles to fill my stomach. I was starving at the time and got a little too excited when the food arrived, so the photo came out a bit blurry...
If you needed to print documents or look up information, there were several iMacs available inside The Arrival.
There were also shower rooms in The Arrival. If you wanted to freshen up after your flight, you could ask the lounge staff for a key. I was in too much of a hurry, so I didn’t try the showers.
The Arrival was very close to the Airport Express station—just downstairs from the platform level. Since no ticket purchase was required to enter the Airport Express station area at the airport, this was especially convenient if you were trying to catch a train.
Overall, Cathay Pacific’s arrivals lounge in Hong Kong offered very solid service. It was small, but had just about everything you would need, and the food was far better than what you typically find in U.S. lounges. If you had access, it was a great place to wait for someone or take a break after arriving in Hong Kong.