Well if Syd-Per is true than at least pax on those long trips get a more comfortable aircraft.
I don't necessarily see that trip as being anything to worry about in a major way for VA crew. The planes have to fly somewhere to keep them all in a job. And yeah it seems like a nice lead-in to say a Hong Kong, SE Asia flight. Personally I'd rather be flying to PER than standing around at check-in for months on end.