South African Airways expands Virgin Australia alliance to Sydney-Perth

No budget to buy a real image off Getty or Corbis, perhaps?

And SQ use their old layout B777-200's on the SIN - JNB/CPT route, so you stuck with SQ old inclined-flat biz class seat. 

It really amazes me that an airline like SQ could have such massive inconsistancies in its biz class seats (from excellent, to really quite medioca).

I've moaned more than a few times on here about how BA missed an opportunity to updated their biz class layout with the launch of their B787 and A380's. But at least Club World is consistant across their whole fleet as lay flat.

Business does, what it believes to be the most economically rational thing. The product offerings from South East Asia to South Africa is pretty average across the board. Why would SQ invest in that sector or use it's newer products, when those planes can be better used on the hot sectors, where competition is more intense?

I think the point here is that SQ claims to prides itself on the level of service it provides to customers, and customers pay a premium for that. If I where flying with SQ, and paying the extra for that privilege, on this route, or it's Auckland  and Perth routes to SIN (other routes they use these planes and layout on), I would be pretty annoyed to not get the full SQ 1-2-1 biz class offering. Why bother paying the extra, when SAA has a better seat?

SQ is always innovating and has just brought to market a new biz and first class on their B777 300ER jets. The "old" (long haul) biz class is still miles a head of the competition in terms of space and amenities. So why not invest in bringing continuity to your biz class offering? The don't need to bring those massive seats they use in their other planes, but still something at least similar like the CX or QR reverse herringbone would be perfect.

Their website lists those seats and aircraft as "medium to short haul" and since both SA and NZ are ten plus hours from SIN, I wouldn't call that medium or short haul.

https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/flying-with-us/business-listing/medium-haul-business/

When you strive so hard to be regarded as the best airline there is, consistency is vital. Just look at Etihad as someone who is biting at SQ's tail to take that crown, and who nails the consistency card in its biz/first class offerings. In fact I'm sure Etihad would be a much better choice for VA customers wanting to head to SA. Particularly when they launch their Perth service later this year.

I think the point here is that SQ claims to prides itself on the level of service it provides to customers, and customers pay a premium for that. If I where flying with SQ, and paying the extra for that privilege, on this route, or it's Auckland  and Perth routes to SIN (other routes they use these planes and layout on), I would be pretty annoyed to not get the full SQ 1-2-1 biz class offering. Why bother paying the extra, when SAA has a better seat?

SQ is always innovating and has just brought to market a new biz and first class on their B777 300ER jets. The "old" (long haul) biz class is still miles a head of the competition in terms of space and amenities. So why not invest in bringing continuity to your biz class offering? The don't need to bring those massive seats they use in their other planes, but still something at least similar like the CX or QR reverse herringbone would be perfect.

Their website lists those seats and aircraft as "medium to short haul" and since both SA and NZ are ten plus hours from SIN, I wouldn't call that medium or short haul.

https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/flying-with-us/business-listing/medium-haul-business/

When you strive so hard to be regarded as the best airline there is, consistency is vital. Just look at Etihad as someone who is biting at SQ's tail to take that crown, and who nails the consistency card in its biz/first class offerings. In fact I'm sure Etihad would be a much better choice for VA customers wanting to head to SA. Particularly when they launch their Perth service later this year.

Agreed. Consistency is vital. But SQ like any other profit making enterprise needs to consider revenue targets and capital expenditure as it manages shareholder value.

Would spending more money generate greater revenue on these sectors?

This is a case in point that, contrary to popular belief, SQ is not bankrolled by the government with an unlimited budget to do as it pleases.

But I get the  crux of what you're saying. Consistency is ideal.  It is both a blessing and a curse that every city in the world is not equally concentrated with high net worth individuals, who would provide the economic justification for airlines to offer very consistent services across the board.

This does not benefit any flyers who are a member of Velocity, as they will not be able to earn full Velocity points and status credits earnings, thus it is considered one sided. I suspect it is not necessarily VA's choice but rather as you said a necessity as they have agreements with SQ in place.

Will SAA members earn status mileage for PER-SYD vv. when crediting to Voyager?

The PER-SIN-JNB is slightly less cumbersome than PER-DXB-JNB (travel time wise) so VA still has a bit of an edge. Mind you, as QFF you can still travel direct on QF's flight for the time being.

As others have noted, SYD-JNB flights do not go anywhere near Perth.

If interested, go to travelmath dot com and look at the Sydney to JNB flight map. 

https://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=syd-jnb,+syd-per-jnb

SYD-JNB doesn't go near PER.

Not sure a 5.1% difference is so significant...also that map is slighly misleading given it's your usual flat map that represents a curved world. Pan out the map and you'll note greenland is bigger than Australia!

The reality is Perth makes absolute sense for an Australian hub for flights to Africa.

The SYD-JNB flight goes over the top of Melbourne. Qantas would  benefit by stopping in Melbourne as this would enable them to offer an additional international destination from Melbourne as well as adding domestic capacity/connections with no additional capital outlay.

I remember years ago (1997) when Qantas used to fly from Melbourne, Sydney and Perth direct to JNB.  Back when it had a brilliant network.  Those were the days.

I remember years ago (1997) when Qantas used to fly from Melbourne, Sydney and Perth direct to JNB.  Back when it had a brilliant network.  Those were the days.