United CEO, Scott Kirby wants higher fares and claims they should be 15-20% higher. The uncomfortable part is that the long-term data says he has a point. Screenshot Kirby Said The Quiet Part Out Loud United CEO Scott Kirby recently argued that fares need to rise , with United looking for yields to increase 15% to 20% to offset higher fuel costs. He also suggested airlines often wait for a crisis before pushing fares higher and that internal politics are the reason fares are low. Revenue management places higher fares, marketing runs sales, and the two aren’t working in tandem. Raising airfares and holding them 15-20% higher will always win the board room on an earnings call but travelers bristle at any price increase (while choosing not to fly Spirit which gets them to their destination cheaper.) But the question remains, is airfare too low? The Numbers Tell The Story Inflation-adjusted domestic fares are far lower than their modern peaks.…