With rail strikes looming (despite high court rulings) is it possible BA or BD might dedicate a few extra flights or at least staff so that people who have desserted their shuttles get a positive image of air travel should they return while needs must? Or is the mindset now that these flights are simply feed for their (or their alliances) London services?
1. Flights to LHR are not exactly full and are mainly, as you say, for feeder traffic.
2. They simply aren't enough slots at LHR for BA/BD to put on extra services.
3. The attraction of air travel from MAN-LHR is considered too much faffying about now a days.
I would be surprised if we see anything larger than an A321 on the LHR run - I hope I am wrong! But I doubt it...