Cathay Pacific's Manila Lounge A Cut Above The Rest

Last month, Cathay Pacific opened its long-awaited lounge at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Manila. For many travellers, it can be considered an oasis in what is often referred to as one of the world's worst airports. Designed by Studioilse of London, the 650 square metre lounge gives Business and First Class passengers a good reason to arrive at the airport early.

cathay pacific manila lounge
Image Source: Cathay Pacific
Located near Gate 114 on Level 4 at NAIA Terminal 3, the new lounge is only the second in the Cathay Pacific network after Tokyo Haneda Airport to feature the Studioilse lounge design template featuring limestone flooring and cherry wood walls. The use of warm and natural materials are designed to make passengers feel as if they were relaxing in a living room.

cathay pacific manila lounge
Image Source: Cathay Pacific
With seating for approximately 135 passengers, the lounge is almost double the size of the old lounge at NAIA Terminal 1. Natural sunlight beams through the windows highlighting other features such as green ceramic tiles in The Noodle Bar, bronze highlights at the lounge's main entrance, and touches of brass in the Bar.

cathay pacific manila lounge
Image Source: Cathay Pacific
First and Business Class passengers will appreciate the custom designed chairs offering side tables with built-in lamps and electrical sockets. Passengers can also enjoy a view of the airport's runway from their seats. The lounge also features art work by Philippine artists intended to incorporate local culture into the design.

cathay pacific manila lounge
Image Source: Cathay Pacific
For those that need to concentrate on work, individual workstations are provided at The Bureau, which features iMacs and printers. Complimentary wireless internet is provided throughout the facility. 

Those who wish to dine can indulge at The Noodle Bar, where a professional chef prepares popular dishes such as wonton noodle soup and dandan mien. If you arrive before 11:00 in the morning, traditional Filipino breakfast will be served. Meanwhile, the Bar offers a selection of cocktails, desserts, and tapas.

cathay pacific manila lounge
Image Source: Cathay Pacific
According to Cathay Pacific, the new lounge at Manila Airport is one of the largest outside of Hong Kong. "The lounge was designed to reflect the Cathay Pacific brand experience and to offer passengers both relaxation and enjoyment," said Dane Cheng, Cathay Pacific's Director of Sales and Marketing. "Cathay Pacific stays committed to deliver services on the ground and in the air since we started flying to Manila 69 years ago."

Cathay Pacific's Country Manager for the Philippines, Allen Liu, noted that the lounge was designed as a place for passengers to feel relaxed, while engaging their senses, and concentrating on well-being as the core design principle.

cathay pacific manila lounge
Image Source: Cathay Pacific
"After more than 30 years of operations at Terminal 1, Cathay Pacific finally made the move to Terminal 3," said Nick Bury, Chief Representative for Cathay Pacific's Regional Subsidiary, Dragonair. "The transformation of this space has been remarkable. In a little more than four months, the impressive space has been altered beyond recognition, from a construction site into a beautiful first and business class lounge." He added that although the tradition was started in Hong Kong, the lounge has been tailored to the local market so that passengers feel at home there. 

The new lounge is a welcome addition to the limited amenities available to passengers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. With the exception of the Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Lounge at Terminal 2, the majority of lounges in Manila are shared facilities with little to offer. With the opening of the new lounge at Terminal 3, Cathay Pacific adds yet another competitive element, competing directly with the Mabuhay Lounge.

Cathay Pacific is currently the largest foreign carrier operating out of Ninoy Aquino International Airport. At peak periods, the carrier is known to offer as many as seven daily flights between Hong Kong and Manila, connecting passengers to its extensive global network. Last year, Cathay Pacific was voted the World's Best Airline at the 2014 Annual Skytrax World Airline Awards.

Cathay Pacific has a number of  new lounges scheduled to open over the next year including facilities in Bangkok, Taipei, Vancouver, London, and its exclusive lounge for First Class passengers in Hong Kong, known as The Pier, which is set to open in June. 

6 comments:

  1. In all honesty, that lounge is about the best looking space in all of Terminal 3.
    All in all, the terminal is dismal and shabby. It has the look of cheap construction and poor finishing work - with the air conditioning working poorly.
    How can it be that Terminal 3 cost the taxpayer $1 billion?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah cheap construction done by TAKENAKA,They we're not able to finish the entire building Andami kasing issue nyan.Plano kc nyan gawing private terminal during Estrada administration d natuloy dahil substandard ang pagkagawa.sinagip lng ng gobyerno yan para mapakinabangan ang building.Until now di pa din tapos ang buong T3 nagkakasirasira na ang mga aircon at mga equipment dahil more than 10 years na, d rin namainten ng maaus dahil sa corruption.Peru d lng naman Cathay pacific ang may magandang lounge dyan.

      Delete
    2. Its not 1 billion dollar project try to read the Wikipedia of NAIA terminal 3.

      Delete
  2. I visited the old CX lounge in T1 a couple of years ago, before they transferred to T3.

    https://withinstrikingdistance.wordpress.com/2013/04/01/lounge-report-cx-first-and-business-class-lounge-mnl-t1/

    A complete joke, compared to their latest lounge offering. Well done on the new space.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you to Cathay for the proof that you can have a world class facility in Manila Airport. Now - if only all of the other airlines, handling companies and the airport authorities would hold themselves to the same standards. Cathay proved in four months you can build a world class facility. Great job and thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. DTF transfers offer a seamless and direct channel for funds to flow between financial institutions. This innovative method eliminates the need for intermediaries, reducing transaction times and associated costs. Unlike traditional transfer methods, DTF transfers prioritize speed and security, ensuring that funds reach their destination promptly while safeguarding sensitive financial information.

    ReplyDelete

Powered by Blogger.