Manchester Airport is crying out for more long haul routes.

Why not have direct route to Asia for the north? SQ's Singapore flight does very nicely from all accounts.

Not everyone is jiggy with London Airways you know. The last time I flew BA to Japan was only because it was a special student ticket with (virtually) free changes.

Even JL or ANA could try and grab a share of business from LH/EK et al who take up the lion's share of Asia traffic for the north of England.

I'd most certainly pay a bit more for a direct flight!.