HH - I think you are missing the point with the US compared to EK to DXB. DXB is a hub and a destination. Look at the East Coast of the US and this is a lot more tricky. Most people going to the US aren't going to New York they are connecting to somewhere else. If you fly say via LHR you have lots of US options. If you go direct to US from Newcastle the options aren't great:
BOS has limited destinations / frequencies to other places
JFK is a good O&D market, but it has limited connections unless you transfer to LGA (that would be a real pain).
EWR generally limits connections to CO/UA
IAD generally limits you to UA / CO
etc.
Given the choice isn't it easier to make a same terminal connection in LHR, AMS or CDG?
To make a route like this you need a good supply of business class demand and cargo traffic. Does the North East have sufficient daily business demand in addition to holiday makers?
CB