United sees little demand hit from higher fares, expects pricing gains to hold

CHICAGO, July 16 (Reuters) - United Airlines said on Thursday higher fares had caused minimal to no damage to travel demand, bolstering its confidence that pricing gains can help it absorb nearly $6 billion in additional fuel expense this year.

Chief Executive Scott Kirby said yield — the average passenger revenue an airline earns for each mile flown — should continue moving toward what he called reasonable pre-pandemic levels, eventually allowing airlines to make enough money to justify the investment required to run their businesses.