I too have always wondered why no long range on skinny long routes.
Example. Fly a 777-200LR in premium config (Business class + leg room economy) LHR to SYD
None-stop .
Surely the business traveler (not pax in business class seat) would jump at the opportunity to avoid the transit in Asia or the M.E. with shorter travel time etc
With 10 or so carriers on this route every day, I would have thought the demand would be there to fill a flight of this description
Two cents