Cathay Pacific to unveil its largest ever business class lounge as complaints about finances persist

Despite its new era of belt-tightening, Cathay Pacific Airways is sparing no expense to unveil a revamped business class lounge at Hong Kong airport for its frequent travellers.

The premium carrier has faced a wave of criticism in recent months from customers and shareholders, most recently at its annual general meeting last week, culminating on Tuesday in its setting forth new cost-saving measures including a hiring freeze.

However, its revamped business lounge facility, The Pier, is to be the largest of the airline’s eight lounges at Hong Kong International Airport, measuring 3,306 square metres and able to accommodate 550 travellers.

The lounge, due to open within weeks, is to feature the only Chinese tea house at the airport as well as familiar staples such as a noodle bar.

The Pier is to be run by the Plaza Premium Group, which recently took over management of Cathay Pacific’s entire portfolio of lounges in the city. Frustration has surfaced, however, among some of the company’s frequent fliers who viewed the new management as a money-saving move.