Cathay Pacific opens yoga and meditation space in Hong Kong

Cathay Pacific’s The Pier business class lounge in Hong Kong is now home to a dedicated yoga and meditation space, where passengers can relax and unwind before their flight.

Located just behind reception and divided into two 'sanctuaries', The Body Sanctuary invites travellers to follow guided yoga videos…

… or refine their own yoga techniques in a self-practice area, with seated stretching areas nearby: all of which are designed to improve circulation and joint mobility while relaxing the mind, the airline says.

Meanwhile, The Mind Sanctuary serves as a meditation zone, either by listening-in to guided audio sessions with supplied headphones and iPads, or through gazing meditation via graphics placed on the wall ahead.

Vivian Lo, Cathay Pacific’s General Manager Customer Experience and Design, said that “wellness is becoming increasingly important to our customers… and we listen to the needs of our customers and continuously evolve to improve their experience with us.”

As these studios now occupy space previously used as a working area with computers and printers available, those amenities have been relocated to the lounge's food hall.

As part of the airline’s partnership with Pure Yoga, the design partner of the new spaces, Marco Polo Club Gold and Diamond members arriving into Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific or Cathay Dragon flights have an extra opportunity to refresh and unwind on the ground.

Up to 12 times each year, these members can visit any Pure Fitness centre or attend any Pure Yoga classes outside of the airport – but of course, visits to The Body Sanctuary and The Mind Sanctuary are unlimited, available whenever visiting The Pier business class lounge.

Cathay Pacific isn’t the first lounge operator in Hong Kong to provide a yoga studio, which the SkyTeam Lounge debuted at the airport in 2015, as also seen in a number of other SkyTeam-brand lounges around the world:

For passengers travelling on the long flights from Perth to London or connecting home to Melbourne, the purpose-built Qantas Transit Lounge in Perth also features a yoga studio, with classes led by a local yoga instructor:

If your travels take you through Hong Kong, however, Cathay Pacific’s The Pier business class lounge welcomes Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon business class (and first class flyers), along with Marco Polo Club Silver, Gold and Diamond members on those same flights.

It also welcomes business class and first class passengers of all other Oneworld alliance airlines – including Qantas – along with Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald frequent flyers departing on a Oneworld flight, such as Qantas Gold and above.

This means that even though Qantas runs its own branded lounge in Hong Kong, if you’re flying Qantas business class or first class, there’s nothing stopping you from detouring via The Pier lounge: ditto if you’re a Qantas Gold frequent flyer or higher, booked in premium economy or economy.

Also read: Cathay Pacific's The Pier business class lounge review, Hong Kong

Chris C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.