"LH aren't more expensive they are just less flexible"
Here's an example. The flight was delayed out of Melbourne to Narita a few weeks ago - an A330-300.
The LH crew weren't going to achieve their required rest break (just short) in NRT.
They try and negotiate with the LH crew. They say nope.
Phone calls are made to SH crew on home reserve. Paxed up to NRT, day rest and bring back the aircraft.
2 things here -
1. you have to be flexible sometimes to help yourselves in the long term
2. Before you bag the SH crew - The SH crew had no choice. They were on home reserve, they had to legally answer their phone and were within hours to operate.
And there you go. Before you know it SH are now doing NRT flights as of March. Big hour 6 day trips. And very popular.