Pricing themselves out of the market
I used to work for BA (retd.) and as such can still get Hotlines.
Take LHR-JNB-LHR on Business. SAA Business class is OK, fit for purpose, sleeper seats etc. £2944 BA Hotline Club £3564 !!! It's the old British Rail syndrome. Put the prices up because we're losing money. Incidentally the dates I put in were 14th August 23rd August - I notice the days before (13/22) are sold out on SAA. Virgin's usually cheaper although I don't like the product, not really flat beds.
So what's the difference? Ancient B747-400, competing with A340-200 running on fresh air? Staffing levels?
Maybe I'm comparing apples with oranges, but at times like these a full Business Class at competitive prices has got to be better than empty aircraft.