And you forget the dynamics of a mid point hub as a destination multiplier.
There may only be 20 people (I am inventing those numbers, okay?) who want to go JFK-SYD at any given day. No economics for a direct flight.
But you will easily find another 280 who want to leave JFK for DEL, BNE, KUL, CGK ... Fill up your 777, hub through the Middle East eh voila! Money in the kitty.