Reviews

First look: The Bridge airport lounge in Hong Kong feels like a chic members club — and it has an epic noodle bar

Tanner SaundersSenior hotels reporter
Tanner Saunders is a Webby Award-winning senior hotels reporter for TPG based in Brooklyn. He covers everything from breaking hotel news to in-depth features on the world’s best hotels.

May 9, 2025 • 8 min read

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Quick summary

The Bridge lounge at Hong Kong International Airport has reopened after a significant renovation, offering an upscale experience for eligible travelers.
Spanning nearly 30,000 square feet, the lounge features two wings with Western and Chinese food options, including a dim sum station and made-to-order noodle bar.
Amenities include a variety of seating areas, showers, a bar, and elegant bathrooms, with design elements evoking a high-end club atmosphere.
Access is available to select premium-class passengers, elite loyalty members and those with valid lounge passes, with specific areas reserved for top-tier elites and first-class travelers.

What to consider

The lounge is located near gate 35 in Terminal 1 and is open from 5:30 a.m. until late, depending on flight schedules.
A biometric check-in system is planned for the future, but no rollout date has been announced.
First-class seating areas are restricted to the airline's own top-tier elites and first-class passengers, not all alliance elites.

What you'll miss from the article

A detailed walkthrough of the lounge's layout, food offerings and tips for making the most of a layover at Hong Kong International Airport.

Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is home to some pretty swanky airport lounges, including some top-tier first-class lounges from Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong's hometown airline. These upscale spaces feature enticing amenities like dim sum tasting menus, spa treatments and even the chance to soak in a bathtub before taking off.

Now, The Bridge, a popular Cathay Pacific lounge that closed in 2021, has reopened following an extensive renovation — and TPG just happened to be passing through the airport mere hours after it reopened.

Here's a quick look at what it was like visiting the nearly 30,000-square-foot lounge — with enough seating for 523 people — during a long layover in Hong Kong.

Location and layout

HKG interior — TANNER SAUNDERS/THE POINTS GUY

The Bridge is located near gate 35 in HKG's Terminal 1. Whether you enter the terminal nearby (like via one of the transfer desks) or head that direction from a different part of the airport, it's easy to get to thanks to the airport's long system of moving walkways. I actually stopped first at Cathay Pacific's The Wing lounge, near gate 1, to collect myself after a roughly nine-hour flight from Sydney before making the somewhat-lengthy trek down to The Bridge.

But once there, The Bridge is easy to find due to effective signage and its unmissable, dramatic location at the bottom of an escalator.

Once I arrived at the check-in desk, the friendly crew gave me a quick lowdown on the layout of the lounge, which is actually very long and narrow. The lounge is split into two wings centered around counters serving Western or Chinese food. After a quick scan of my boarding pass, I decided to make a quick pass to the right to see the Western food area before heading back across the long lounge to dig deep into the Chinese offerings because I love dim sum — and it is Hong Kong, after all.

It's worth noting that Cathay Pacific will soon introduce the airline's first biometric check-in system at this lounge, but a rollout date hasn't been announced.

The "Western" wing of The Bridge

Flanking both sides of the reception area, you'll pass through an open-air, well-lit seating space that looks out into the concourse. But the moment you pass this area, everything changes.

Once you enter the corridor of The Bridge, it feels like stepping into a high-end membership club, thanks to the beautiful cherry wood finishes. The Western side of the lounge has screened-off seating areas for first-class travelers and Cathay Diamond elite members only (seen above on the left side of the picture, but hidden behind the panels).

Walking further down I found the Western Food Hall, a beautiful cafeteria-like space with plenty of table seating in the middle and a long wall of food, drink stations and chefs behind the counter overseeing everything.

Food options here included fresh fruit, salads, various small bites like spicy lamb tartlets, breads and a wide variety of soups.

Beyond the dining area, a number of different seating spaces included large leather lounge chairs next to big windows with views out to the planes and an overall library-like vibe that felt truly classy.

And at the furthest end, I found a buzzy bar full of people waiting to get a drinks, with beer, wines, cocktails and nonalcoholic beverages all on offer.

The "Chinese" wing of The Bridge

Journeying back to the opposite side of The Bridge — the one that focuses on Chinese food — I once again passed through the open-air seating areas and into another moody space, this time more open and dining-focused.

The first part of this area feels like a high-end dining room, with one wall offering views out to the runway from bar seating, and the opposite side lined with food options, including a made-to-order noodle bar and a dim sum station.

Cathay Pacific lounge interior food — TANNER SAUNDERS/THE POINTS GUY

Made-to-order options included wonton noodles, dan dan noodles, biangbiang noodles and stir-fried noodles with baby bok choy and bean sprouts. The dim sum on offer included minced beef balls, pork siu mai, vegetable dumplings and black sesame buns.

I opted for the dan dan noodles, which were delicious and filling with a rich peanut flavor, and delicate little siu mai bites — plus a glass of Champagne, because why not.

I really appreciated the different seating options in this dining area, including a long table with plenty of space to share (where I sat) and these beautiful booths.

Deeper into the lounge and past the noodle bar, another large seating area offered a beautiful space to sit back and relax, featuring mixed textures and a green and rich wood theme.

Tucked away back here, I also found a little drink nook with wine, coffee, sodas and other drinks.

This area also offers showers, with an attendant overseeing the rooms, and some of the most beautiful airport bathrooms I have ever seen. The bathrooms are a little tricky to find, though, as the door is actually a wall panel that blends in seamlessly.

Who can access The Bridge?

The Bridge is open to first- and business-class customers flying Cathay Pacific, Cathay Silver elite members and above, Cathay members with valid lounge passes and Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members. The first-class area is exclusively for Cathay Pacific Diamond elites (not other Oneworld Emerald elites) and first-class passengers.

When is The Bridge open?

The Bridge opens at 5:30 a.m. and closes depending on flight departure times, typically between 12:30 a.m. and 3:20 a.m. On opening night when I visited, the lounge closed at 12:30 a.m.

Bottom line

The newly redesigned The Bridge lounge is chic, massive and offers plenty of delicious food options, no matter your palate. This is the first lounge in Cathay Pacific's plans to overhaul most of its lounge offerings over the next few years, and it's safe to say they've set the bar high.

If I find myself passing through Hong Kong again in the future, I'll make a beeline to those dan dan noodles.

Related reading:

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Here's a quick look at what it was like visiting the nearly 30,000-square-foot lounge — with enough seating for 523 people — during a long layover in Hong Kong.

Location and layout

But once there, The Bridge is easy to find due to effective signage and its unmissable, dramatic location at the bottom of an escalator.

It's worth noting that Cathay Pacific will soon introduce the airline's first biometric check-in system at this lounge, but a rollout date hasn't been announced.

The "Western" wing of The Bridge

Flanking both sides of the reception area, you'll pass through an open-air, well-lit seating space that looks out into the concourse. But the moment you pass this area, everything changes.

Food options here included fresh fruit, salads, various small bites like spicy lamb tartlets, breads and a wide variety of soups.

And at the furthest end, I found a buzzy bar full of people waiting to get a drinks, with beer, wines, cocktails and nonalcoholic beverages all on offer.

The "Chinese" wing of The Bridge

I opted for the dan dan noodles, which were delicious and filling with a rich peanut flavor, and delicate little siu mai bites — plus a glass of Champagne, because why not.

I really appreciated the different seating options in this dining area, including a long table with plenty of space to share (where I sat) and these beautiful booths.

Deeper into the lounge and past the noodle bar, another large seating area offered a beautiful space to sit back and relax, featuring mixed textures and a green and rich wood theme.

Tucked away back here, I also found a little drink nook with wine, coffee, sodas and other drinks.

Who can access The Bridge?

When is The Bridge open?

The Bridge opens at 5:30 a.m. and closes depending on flight departure times, typically between 12:30 a.m. and 3:20 a.m. On opening night when I visited, the lounge closed at 12:30 a.m.

Bottom line

If I find myself passing through Hong Kong again in the future, I'll make a beeline to those dan dan noodles.

Related reading:

Comments

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Location and layout

The "Western" wing of The Bridge

The "Chinese" wing of The Bridge

Who can access The Bridge?

When is The Bridge open?

Bottom line

Comments

Comments

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TPG featured card

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Annual fee

Regular APR

Recommended credit

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

Location and layout

The "Western" wing of The Bridge

The "Chinese" wing of The Bridge

Who can access The Bridge?

When is The Bridge open?

Bottom line

Comments

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Annual fee

Regular APR

Recommended credit

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Annual fee

Regular APR

Recommended credit

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Annual fee

Regular APR

Recommended credit

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Annual fee

Regular APR

Recommended credit

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons