businesstraveller.com JULY/AUGUST 2019
AIRPORT LOUNGES
57
Express in Asia when it opened in
October 2017, located close to the
Plaza Premium Lounge (West Hall),
Emirates Lounge, United Club Lounge
and Thai Airways’ Royal Orchid Lounge.
Given its young age this is an especially
contemporary-looking lounge, and while
it has a sophisticated dark colour scheme
it’s an “open-air” lounge meaning there’s
plenty of light. A private area is exclusively
available for Centurion members and
their guests.
Key facilitiesShower suites, reading
room, phone room, staffed bar, buffet
Opening hours5.30am-12.30amCNAC VIP LOUNGE
Where is it?Near Gate 25, Departures
Level 6, Terminal 1
Who gets access?Premium passengers
on Air China, China Southern, Myanmar
National Airlines, Shandong Airlines,
Sichuan Airlines and Xiamen Airlines.
What’s it like?Run by the China
National Aviation Corporation, the
CNAC VIP Lounge is open to passengers
on a number of Chinese airlines – and,
curiously, Myanmar National Airlines.
Key facilitiesSelf-serve alcoholic
beverages, workstations, buffet
Opening hours5.30am-8.30pmBTMalindo Air, MIAT Mongolian Airlines,
Philippine Airlines, Royal Jordanian,
Shenzhen Airlines and Turkish Airlines.
What’s it like? A reopening and redesign
of this lounge in 2017 means it is modern
and new, with some private “cubicle” seats
that are good for solo travellers. The
buffet section is extensive, and the shower
suites are clean, large and modern. Note
that this is the first of Plaza Premium’s
lounges that most visitors see, and so it
gets very busy. If you’re departing closer to
Gate 40, head to the less crowded West
Hall lounge instead.
Key facilities Shower suites, bar, buffet,
work cubicles
Opening hours 24 hours dailyPLAZA PREMIUM LOUNGE (WEST HALL)
Where is it? Near Gate 40, Departures
Level 7, Terminal 1
Who gets access? Plaza Premium and
Priority Pass members; plus business class
passengers travelling on Air India, Air
Mauritius, Air Niugini, All NipponAirways (ANA), American Airlines,
Asiana Airlines, El Al Israel Airlines,
Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, Jet Airways,
Malindo Air, Philippine Airlines,
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), Shenzhen
Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Thai Smile
and Turkish Airlines.
What’s it like? Take the tram shuttle one
stop to get to it, though note it can also
get busy and for some carriers, notably Air
India, ANA, El Al Israel Airlines, EVA
Air, SAS, SriLankan Airlines and Thai
Smile, the West Hall lounge is the de facto
facility, not the East Hall lounge.
There are some seating capsules at the
back with small desks, or head down the
corridor beside the buffet to a secluded
area with armchairs and its own small
buffet. It’s often empty, but does get
closed off depending on the time of day.
Key facilities Showers, spa facilities,
self-serve alcoholic beverages, buffet
Opening hours 24 hours dailyTHE CENTURION LOUNGE
Where is it? Near Gate 60, Departures
Level 7, Terminal 1
Who gets access? American Express
Platinum Card and Centurion members.
What’s it like? This was the first
Centurion Lounge from AmericanCLOCKWISE FROM LEFT PAGE: Hong Kong Airlines
Lounge – Club Bauhinia; Hong Kong Airlines
Lounge – Club Autus; Plaza Premium First;
Plaza Premium Lounge (West Hall); and
The Centurion Lounge