Skip: I'm sure BA could be successful on spoke to (AA) hub flights from MAN with say, 787s. The motivation to do it is what appears to be lacking. Nobody is suggesting routes to the east because that ship has sailed now that the me3 own the market.
Speaking of which, why wouldn't EK, with all the brand recognition and reputation they have in the UK regions, make a point to point USA route work? After all, TCX seem to think it will work? And as much as you talk about Flybe feed on this end, what about feed on the other? TCX might not attract many US based customers but EK sure as hell could. JetBlue partnership one wonders?