Is this really a United specific issue? Airfares to pretty much anywhere in Asia are sky-high compared to pre-virus levels on all airlines, and the load factors don't seem to match up with these prices. I doubt anyone is flying full flights consistently. What seems different is the unwillingness by any carrier, regardless of their service quality, to lower fares back to pre-virus levels and fill up the flights. Even the old YVR>Asia sweet spot is long gone. Look at JAL as a comparison, they were once the bargain option from the US west coast to Asia, now they are often among the most expensive.

Me thinks the airlines are tugging rather aggressively on those teats and failing to notice the lack of milk going into the bucket - but declaring what does pour in there as "high quality" (based on RASM and other metrics), so there is no need to fill up the bucket.

If you look at other businesses, there is a consistent flow of news that consumers have had enough and are pulling away from overpriced products, whether it's a Big Mac, a TV or dozen eggs - and airfare will be their next target.