I remember US applied for a route to PEK before everything went haywire around '08. They had approval, IIRC, but never went ahead an operated it.

Being pretty much smack in the middle of PHL and EWR, it's really about what airport is cheaper. Both are *A hubs if I'm looking to collect there. Both have BA across the pond if I want. But EWR has Asian routes, though only on CO (and SQ, if you want/can afford to fly in C) once Eva leaves.

I really think, IMHO, EWR can capture a sufficient chunk of JFK's market, at least enough for one CX flight. It's not that much more difficult to get to EWR from Manhattan than JFK. And it's one HELL of a lot easier from anywhere on the Jersey side of things.