United Airlines set to reopen Hong Kong lounge amid expanding Asia network

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United Airlines set to reopen Hong Kong lounge amid expanding Asia network

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United Airlines | Official Website

By Sky Industry News

May 19, 2025

United Airlines is set to reopen its business class lounge at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) in the coming months. The reopening, anticipated for June or July 2025, follows a document released by the Hong Kong government and first reported by Executive Traveller.

The United Club lounge at HKG was closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on global air travel. This development aligns with United's recent announcement of new Fifth Freedom flights from Hong Kong to Southeast Asian destinations in Vietnam and Thailand.

Once operational, the Chicago-based airline will restore its business traveler facilities at HKG, enhancing lounge capacity for passengers traveling from Hong Kong to the United States. Although not as exclusive as the Polaris Lounge, the United Club provides essential amenities such as light snacks, a self-service bar, shower facilities, comfortable seating, and WiFi.

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Located in Terminal 1 near Gate 60 on Departures Level (L7), Room 7W504 of the West Concourse can be accessed via an escalator before Gate 61. It remains uncertain whether any changes will be made upon reopening; Simple Flying has requested comments from United Airlines.

Access to the lounge is available for United Club members, United elite status holders (Premier Gold, Platinum, 1K, or Global Services), Star Alliance Gold members, and passengers flying United Polaris or Business Class on international or transcontinental flights. One-time pass holders also have access.

United Airlines is broadening its presence across Asia-Pacific by adding new destinations. In April 2025, the US Department of Transportation approved Fifth Freedom flights from Hong Kong to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) and Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN). These routes will commence on October 26, 2025.

Flights departing Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) will stop in Hong Kong before continuing to Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City. Operating these routes with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners allows accommodating up to 257 passengers across four cabin classes.

These additions aim to facilitate smoother connections for North American travelers amid increasing demand for travel to Southeast Asian cities like Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City.

Currently, United Airlines operates two daily flights between HKG and both LAX and SFO using widebody aircraft such as Boeing 777-300ERs and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Competition on these routes comes from Cathay Pacific and American Airlines; however, unlike United Airlines' presence with a dedicated lounge at HKG, American does not have an Admirals Club there.