Another increase in TATL AC J prices - 2019

I've been monitoring YVR-LHR for a few months. Back in early January these were around $4500 (I bought 3) , then a jump to ~$5500 and now many direct return flights are in the $8-9k range! Last year the Christmas special Biz flight pass was a not-unreasonable option at $4900 but this year it was around $5400 (IIRC), and I didn't buy. On the dates I want to travel and haven't already booked, there is wide open availability: J9 and only 1-4 seats booked (I know its unreliable), so I don't believe the front cabin is particularly booked up. PE is an option, as would have been the Latitude flight pass, although P,R=0 for most, but not all these flights will be on my account, and getting others upgraded isn't an easy option any more.

I am wondering what will happen nearer the departure date ( 2 months away). Will the price drop, or will a sudden flux of corporate bookings take up the empty seats, or will there be last minute upgrades for the picking? It would be great if we can all get upgrades at the gate, but I'm wondering if Revenue Management have over-priced their product. I see BA typically $2k less, with their inferior product IMHO.