Review - Cathay Pacific Lounge Tokyo Haneda (HND)
Cathay Pacific Lounge Tokyo Haneda (HND)
March 24th, 2025
A Word from the Chef:
Cathay Pacific has some of my favorite lounges in the world. If I were to fly from Beijing to Bangkok, I would (probably) choose to connect in Hong Kong rather than flying direct, just so I can visit Cathay’s phenomenal lounges at HKG. I can’t count how many times I elected to fly through Heathrow over the other European hubs for the same reason. Cathay’s Heathrow First Class Lounge is my cure when I miss being in Asia but can’t get there.
When I discovered there was a Cathay lounge at Haneda, I certainly had to check it out. Even though the Haneda location didn’t have a dedicated first class section, I think I still prefer it to the JAL First Class Lounge.
Plat Principal:
Cathay is incredibly consistent with its lounge design, so the façade should look familiar if you’ve been to one of them. This lounge was located one level above the JAL Sakura Lounge Sky View. It’s interesting that Cathay was able to secure lounge real estate on the top floor.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Tokyo Haneda (HND) Entrance
Contrary to the JAL lounge where the staff were exclusively Japanese, the staff at the Cathay lounge were a mix of Japanese and Filipinos.
Immediately in front of the reception was what Cathay called the pantry. This was essentially a small buffet for people who didn’t have time to linger, as reflected in the high top seating. I’ve mentioned in the previous reviews, Cathay has its own naming convention for various areas within the lounges, such as the bureau (work stations), the noodle bar and the retreat (quiet area).
Cathay Pacific Lounge Tokyo Haneda (HND) The Pantry
Cathay Pacific Lounge Tokyo Haneda (HND) The Pantry
Cathay Pacific Lounge Tokyo Haneda (HND) The Pantry
Cathay Pacific Lounge Tokyo Haneda (HND) The Pantry
To the right of the lounge you can find traditional lounge seating. Being on the top floor, the lounge featured expansive views of the tarmac and runways.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Tokyo Haneda (HND)
Cathay Pacific Lounge Tokyo Haneda (HND)
Cathay Pacific Lounge Tokyo Haneda (HND)
The back corner of the main lounge housed Cathay’s attractive-looking bar. You can find the menu below.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Tokyo Haneda (HND) The Bar
The focal point of every Cathay lounge is the noodle bar, where wonton and dan dan noodles are freshly prepared, and har gow and shu mai are steaming hot. Each lounge would also have something local to the location it’s in, like the one in Bangkok had pad thai and papaya salad.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Tokyo Haneda (HND) The Noodle Bar
Cathay Pacific Lounge Tokyo Haneda (HND) The Noodle Bar
Cathay Pacific Lounge Tokyo Haneda (HND) The Noodle Bar
The Haneda menu can be found below.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Tokyo Haneda (HND) The Noodle Bar
Here’s what the breakfast of a Hong Kong tycoon looks like. Jk, but I am obsessed with Cathay’s dan dan noodles and Cathay delight, which is a kiwi and coconut smoothie. I found the food to be better here than what I had at JAL First Class Lounge.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Tokyo Haneda (HND) The Noodle Bar
Digestif:
I have never been to a Cathay lounge that I didn’t like, and this was no exception. While the Haneda location didn’t have showers, you could shower in the nearby JAL lounges. I largely attribute my proclivity for Cathay lounges to its trendy yet cozy aesthetics and design - it makes you feel like you’re not at an airport, which is a good thing in my book. The lounges have tasty and fresh food, a vast selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and friendly service. Most of them also happen to offer great airplane views. I can’t name another airline who has such an impressive network of high-quality lounges worldwide.