Hong Kong International Airport is one of the best places in the world to depart from if you’re flying Business Class or hold elite status with a oneworld airline.
There’s a strong lineup of Cathay Pacific lounges, including two excellent First Class lounges for eligible First Class passengers and oneworld Emerald members. On top of that, Qantas operates its own lounge here, offering a familiar slice of home with a distinctly Hong Kong twist.
During my round-the-world trip using Qantas Points, I had a morning departure from Hong Kong to Singapore. With limited time on hand, I set myself a simple goal: squeeze in visits to both the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge and Cathay Pacific’s The Pier Business Class Lounge, widely regarded as Cathay’s best Business lounge at its home hub.
Stop 1: The Qantas Hong Kong Lounge
After breezing through immigration and security, my first stop is the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge, located immediately to the right of the checkpoint. It can be easy to miss if you’re unfamiliar with the terminal. A useful tip is to use the screening channel on the right-hand side of the departures hall to reach it more quickly.
It’s hard to believe that just a few years ago, Qantas had announced this lounge would close ‘permanently’ during the pandemic. Thankfully, that decision was later reversed. Today, the lounge feels lively and well-loved again.
The space benefits from an open-air design, with plenty of natural light and views across the adjacent gates. As there are no Qantas departures until later in the day, the lounge is pleasantly quiet in the morning. However, it also means we can’t experience the lounge’s best dining options, such as the signature char-siu rice, until the evening.
The bar is open and features an interesting drinks list – I’m especially fond of anything calamansi – but this time, a simple Aussie flat white hits the spot.
With said coffee in hand, I take a seat at the communal table and cast my eyes over the buffet nearby, but something better materialises. It’s the dim sum trolley! A fluffy char siu pork bun and a basket of xiao long bao (soup dumplings) are the perfect start to my day.
In fact, the soup dumplings are so more-ish that I ask for two more top-ups. Dipped in chilli oil and topped with a touch of extra spice, they’re literally bursting with warmth and flavour.
As much as I’d happily make another pass at the trolley, it’s time to cross the airport for my second lounge stop.
Stop 2: Cathay Pacific The Pier Business Class Lounge
After a quick ride on the Automated People Mover (though the Skytrain, as it’s called in Singapore, sounds way cooler), I make my way down to near Gate 65, where the entrance to The Pier awaits.
An escalator leads down to the lounge, which sits below the main departures level. There’s some natural light filtering in, but much of the space is deliberately darker and moodier, creating a calm, almost boutique hotel atmosphere.
A quick stop at the ever-so-popular Noodle Bar reveals that Cathay Pacific is still dishing up favourites like wonton noodles and dan dan mien. I pick the wonton noodle soup and pair it with more dumplings (seriously, it’s a weak spot of mine). From the bar, I grab a cup of what might just be my all-time favourite airport mocktail, the Cathay Delight.
Blended with fresh kiwi, coconut milk and mint, it’s refreshingly light and tangy, while remaining very much on-brand for Cathay Pacific.
The Pier has some speciality elements you won’t find in many other lounges, such as the dedicated Teahouse. Here, there’s a comprehensive range of JING teas to choose from, all artfully served in a glass teapot. The seasonal jasmine tea lives up to expectations, with delicate floral notes and a lingering, gently sweet finish.
There’s also the Relaxation Room, a dimly lit space with comfortable daybeds that would be perfect for longer layovers. I would happily have spent more time here, but soon it’s time to head back upstairs for my flight to Singapore.
Summing up
Both Qantas and Cathay Pacific offer excellent Business Class lounge experiences in Hong Kong. If you’re travelling in Business or First Class, or hold Qantas Gold or oneworld Sapphire status or above, you can easily create your own mini lounge crawl before departure.
Qantas American Express Ultimate
- Sign-up Bonus:
- Up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points¹
- Rewards Earn Rate:
- 1.25 Qantas Points earned per $1 on eligible everyday purchases. 2.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on selected Qantas products and services in Australia. 0.5 Qantas Point per $1 at government bodies in Australia. After a total of 100,000 Qantas Points is earned in a calendar year, the everyday earn rate will change from 1.25 to 1 Qantas Point per $1 spent.
- Annual Fee:
- $450 p.a.
- Offer expires
- 5 May 2026
- Earn 70,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months, plus an additional 30,000 Qantas Points when you spend a minimum of $1 on your Card within 90 days of paying your second year annual Card Fee¹. (Offer ends 5 May 2026. New Amex Card Members only. T&Cs apply.) This card includes an annual $450 Qantas Travel Credit, two Qantas Club Complimentary Lounge Invitations each year, complimentary international travel insurance, and Qantas Wine Premium Membership (valued at $99). Earn 1.25 Qantas Points per $1 on everyday spend, 2.25 on Qantas purchases, and 0.5 on government payments. The annual fee is $450.
It gets even better if you have access to Cathay Pacific’s First Class lounges, either through a First Class ticket or Qantas Platinum/oneworld Emerald-equivalent status.
Access to these lounges isn’t limited to Cathay or Qantas flights either. When travelling with other oneworld airlines such as Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Finnair, Fiji Airways, Qatar Airways (on evening departures) and British Airways, eligible passengers can still enjoy both of these standout lounges before boarding.
Want to experience all this yourself? Even without status, both lounges are available to you on a Cathay Pacific Business Class ticket. One of the shortest flights is Hong Kong-Taipei, which starts from 21,000 Qantas Points or 16,000 Asia Miles + fees and taxes.
Point Hacks pro tip: If you’re already flying to Hong Kong, adding a Taipei leg in the same cabin often costs no extra points if the combined distance is still within the same pricing band.
Photography by Brandon Loo, who visited the lounges with his own earned Gold status while flying on a Premium Economy ticket at Point Hacks’ expense.
