Yup, I'm headin Shanghai / HKG in a few weeks. the Gulf routes add at least 4 hours to the trip & mean a stupid o'clock plane change- and cost more to boot. So please people don't keep sayin the gulf boys have these routes covered-they haven't. I use Swisss or Luftie & AY is def the quickest.
With one of the largest Chinese communities in Europe, there is scope for a pax / combi service. I presume the main reason CX shy away is to protect their LHR operation. So, I hope MA are getting cosy with Air China or more likely China Eastern.