Multi-source routes
From post #32:
"Another idea though would be to maybe divert one of the SFO flights or LAX into MAN to carry onto SFO or LAX. Or is that just a plain stupid idea. I think it is"
Thirty years or so ago BA used to do something similar at the other end. The LHR-LAX flight (747-100) continued on to SFO, so the idea isn't completely crazy.
Other multi-stop flights could also make sense. For example late evening LHR-MAN-GLA or LHR-NCL-EDI by BA could be make it possible to do a full afternoon's work on the continent and still get to the outer reaches of the kingdom the same day with full service, while allowing BA to carry a fairly full load out of LHR.
Other routes where a UK carrier should be able to make a profit include Osaka (or possibly even better Kobe) in Japan and Korea. And how about potential growth tourist destinations such as urumqi and Xian in China. An entry point in Western China could give much shorter travel times than going through Beijing or Shanghai.