Anyone with a US visa can transit through Taiwan without a visa when heading home. If you want to stay in Taiwan, you can also apply for an entry permit, and unlike applying from the mainland, you don’t need a permit in advance, so it is relatively convenient. On this trip home, I also passed through Taipei Taoyuan Airport (TPE). Because I was in Cathay Pacific business class, I was able to check out Cathay’s Taipei lounge, which is officially called the Taipei Lounge. The Taipei–Hong Kong route is Cathay’s most profitable single route, so Cathay pays close attention to the service standards of its Taipei airport lounge.
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Who can enter the Cathay Pacific Taipei Lounge
Passengers who hold first or business class tickets on OneWorld airlines can access this Cathay lounge. First Class passengers can also bring one companion. The OneWorld carriers that operate from Taoyuan are JAL (JL), Cathay (CX), Cathay Dragon (KA), and Malaysia Airlines (MH).
OneWorld Sapphire or Emerald elite members can also bring one companion when flying with a OneWorld airline.
In addition, Cathay Pacific Marco Polo Silver and above members can access this lounge as well.
Where the Taipei lounge is located
Cathay flights at Taoyuan are in Terminal 1. This lounge is upstairs, past security and immigration in T1.
A few steps later you can see the Cathay sign.
After I handed over the Lounge Invitation I received at check-in to the Cathay staff at the entrance, I was let in.
Near the entrance there is a business room with several iMacs available for use, and the setup is definitely quite upscale.
Seating
As soon as you enter the lounge, you can see several signs on the wall.
I first sat down in the dining area.
Food
The lounge offers order-in service for some snacks and noodles. First, go to the attendant in the left corner at the top of the photo to place your order, then you will be given a call button.
After the meal is ready, passengers are called to pick it up. I ordered one bowl of Taiwanese beef noodles and a shengjian bao (not sure which version of shengjian bao this is).
The beef noodles tasted good. The beef pieces were generous, while the noodles were a little on the light side. But because the bowl is small, the total amount is not large, so you would need to order several bowls to feel full. These shengjian bais also looked a bit odd in shape, with a sunken look, and I could not tell why they were made that way.
[caption id="attachment_3170" align="aligncenter" width="3264"] Taipei lounge beverage dispenser
The lounge has a very ample beverage supply, including a beverage dispenser for cola and other soft drinks.
[caption id="attachment_3171" align="aligncenter" width="3264"] Orange juice and salad[/caption>
There was also a pack of orange juice, and salad was also served in a glass bottle.
Conclusion
Because Taipei is Cathay’s most important route apart from Hong Kong, their airport lounge setup is also very good. If you arrive on an empty stomach, you can definitely leave full. Still, the lounge environment is a bit noisy and has a Mainland-style atmosphere. Have you been to the Taipei lounge? Please share your experience at TPE.