The sooner SQ start this the better. Living in the southwest of Ireland and having to regularly visit family in Houston I currently have a set of poor choices. Leaving SNN for the US east coast to transfer involves long layovers outbound and late arrivals in Houston with either a 45 or 90 minute drive at the end depending on the connecting flight's use of IAH or HOU. The return by the east coast involves early departures and long layovers.
Connecting over LHR involves being up at 04.00 a four hour layover in T5 or a tight connection to T2 with an early evening arrival at IAH and a deteriorating service on BA or a mediocre service on UA. At least BA now have a 787 on the route. Currently I use the train to DUB, overnight, the 0.55 LH to FRA and, on a tight but guaranteed connection, arrive in IAH very early in the afternoon. The return is a civilised late afternoon departure from IAH and a mid morning arrival in DUB with good LH service on board.
The SQ service will allow an early morning departure from SNN, a day with friends/relatives in MAN, a good night's sleep and a reasonable check in with SQ's excellent on board service and an early afternoon arrival. The return is at a reasonable time from IAH with a good connection to DUB for a train home.
Bring it on!!