It is looking more credible with actions such as this that some long haul services can be initiated at a sensible scale perhaps sooner rather than later. I think forget the USA and Far East, while I'm sure NYC would work not even Gatwick has such a service and STN lacks the connections full-service Far Eastern carriers would need to succeed. Daily Emirates though is certainly feasible, to strengthen their London position and scoop up more pax from this side of London, less so Etihad or Qatar but I wouldn't completely rule either out.
They must also have a couple of other full service carriers in mind they realistically believe can poached or enticed - I would guess getting Turkish back from LGW and El Al from LTN as the most likely. There were rumours of bmi regional a while ago also though I'm not sure they would quite bring the massive influx of new pax that justifies the expenditure!