Cathay Pacific looks to food revamp and new lounge to boost flagging fortunes

Hong Kong’s largest airline is to revamp its airport lounges and in-flight food, as it seeks to compete in an increasingly crowded market. Cathay Pacific Airways’ main customer service focus in 2018 would be improving catering, managers said, raising an aspect of its offering that many customers see as a weakness. In the meantime the city’s flag carrier, and Asia’s largest international carrier, on Thursday opened its newest premium lounge at Hong Kong International Airport, with food front and centre. The airline said changes included a bigger variety of food on board and flexible eating times in business class. It plans a similar revamp of the food range and quality in economy class. Vivian Lo Wing-yee, GM for customer experience and design, said the changes were in response to customer feedback. “They wanted better food, more choice, signature dishes and more flexibility in service and hospitality,” she said. Cathay chief executive Rupert Hogg signalled food would be a major area for development as he unveiled the company’s 2017 results last week. Trials were conducted late last year of a restaurant-style dine-on-demand concept. Cathay’s new lounge, named The Deck, is an 823 square metre facility with space for 186 passengers. <br/>