Skipness it was a Tristar and it routed via Munich when BA flew Manchester to Hong Kong.
Jerboy I dont agree with your numbers, the BA Shuttle varies between
A319/320/321 and in my experience as a regular traveller on the route its very rarely far off full.
However thanks all for the reasoned responses, I still think given the will there is the demand for some long haul services by BA probably connecting with One World hubs however I am also realistic enough to know it wont happen with BA (I am of course excluding AA to JFK/ORD, AY to HEL and IB to MAD).