For the next few years, the B777 and A380 will be too big for hub airlines to fill and maintain reasonable connecting times. The B787 could become a hub aircraft as well as point to point. With its smaller size and long range it could open up routes which couldn’t support a larger aircraft and allow all important frequency, twice daily B787 instead of daily A380.
EK were badly caught out by the pandemic with an all mega wide body fleet. QR less so as they could substitute smaller types.
Hub airlines are usually able to undercut airlines flying direct routes, if the savings are worthwhile they will get pax.