I think it is not just the game, it is the natural progression of things. In WW1 they started off very "honourable" for the most part. But over time it was replaced with the "kill them all even if they are going down". WW2 begam similarly (although, to a lesser degree and it depended on who was fighting who), but over time if was just a brutal as any grudge match.
That said, I still have fights like that. Furball about a week or so ago was killing us all in his Hurri. I was coming back into the fight and he was landing. He called out over 200 he was out of ammo, so I let him go. Later that day I got all beat to heck and obvious I was no threat so the con (still don't know who he was), peeled off and let me go.
Some guys talk smack on 200 and now I laugh at them. Used to get all worked up, but what is the point. If I met anyone in person it is not like this game means that much. And usually, unless I give it back and escalate things it goes away quickly. Internet and MMO game tough guys really don't impress me at all. Usually, they are just blowing off steam so I let it go.
And, if someone doesn't let me go home when I am obviously finished, well, that is the name of the game. Not a quakefest if the idea is to shoot the other guy down and that is what they do. Just means I was the bug that time and they were the windshield.
To me it makes it more special that the "honor" thing doesn't happen all the time. Makes me appreciate it more when it does.