Price is the issue methinks, LAX LHR. I hear similar anecdotes from those who have trawled Skyscanner and found considerably cheaper long haul (and sometimes short haul) out of London airports. Northerners are canny with their brass, we are told. And yes that means if they can get a cheaper flight from or via London, they will. Frustrating all round, as we are told that yields are higher for airlines out of LHR yet fares are cheaper. Uh? Airlines pay 3 to 4 times the airport charges compared to MAN but still dump the back end of flights on to the market through internet consolidators, having filled the front with execs and celebs who frequent the LHR catchment and don't bother to check the price.
Totally agree, though frequent flier programmes could be part of the matter, availability of seats on direct services may not have been available, e.g. Qatar in One World, seats may have been available only via intermediate points etc. timings or direct flights may not have suited.. could be staff travel routing in case that it wasn't available on direct flights....
EI-BUD