Cathay Pacific Lounge - The Pier

Gate 63 in T1 is where Cathay hides its First Class Pier.

This is the quieter sibling of the famous Pier Business Lounge, sitting near gate 63 in Terminal 1 and reserved for Cathay and oneworld First Class plus Emeralds. If someone just says “The Pier” online, they almost always mean the business side with the 14 shower suites and rest pods, but this First Class space runs smaller and calmer.

The Pier First usually opens from early morning to late‑night bank times alongside Cathay’s long‑haul waves, so you can sit here on a 00:30 departure to Europe or a 09:10 flight to Sydney. It is past security and immigration in T1, so once you’re in, you’re airside and about five to ten minutes’ walk from many long‑haul gates in the 60s and 70s.

Food runs restaurant‑style here, with made‑to‑order dishes rather than a big self‑serve spread. Expect at least one noodle option like wonton or dan dan, a cooked‑to‑order egg or breakfast plate in the morning, and a small dessert list; flyers who compare both sides often eat their main meal here, then later graze on the larger buffet over in The Pier Business with its canteen‑style spread.

Drinks lean heavier on quality spirits and champagne than the business lounge, with premium labels poured at the bar and a decent wine rotation that often includes a French champagne and at least one New World red by the glass. Coffee comes off a proper machine rather than push‑button, and regulars time a barista coffee here before walking 15–20 minutes toward The Wing near gates 1–4.

Showers in the Pier ecosystem anchor most long layover plans: the business side lists 14 suites plus basic rest pods in the far, quiet corner, while First guests can also request a shower without leaving the First section. Frequent flyers on a nine‑hour layover often follow a pattern: land, walk to The Pier, shower around hour 3–4, nap, then shift to The Wing for final boarding.

Watch out during peak evening departures around 22:00–01:00 when A350s and 777s all leave together; even with First‑only access, you may still need to walk deeper into the Pier complex to escape the crowd that spills from the business lounge. Some reviewers call out the rest pods for limited privacy, so bring a hoodie, eye mask, and your own earbuds if you actually plan to sleep.

One practical move: if your long‑haul departs from a low gate like 4 or 5, leave The Pier about 25 minutes before boarding so you have a 15–18 minute walk plus a small buffer for a last‑minute stop at The Wing.