OK - I've ditched the round trip Rome question and have settled on my flight itinerary, JFK to Venice, Rome to JFK, on non stops via Delta/Alitalia codeshared flights. Right now the prices for April are hovering at $1000-$1500. Is this the time to buy, or should I wait? The site recommended for anticipated price changes doesn't list any international airports.

If your dates are really specific, you may want to book now, but if you have any flexibility (dates, times, airlines) I would wait. Those prices seem rather high for April. Are you going there for Easter? That could be a busy time.

Easter is early this year - March 23. I am not planning to leave NY until April 5 at the earliest, which I figured is after the Easter crowds, and I do have some flexibility in my days - but I am also concerned that waiting will lose me potential hotel rooms at my first choice hotels. Oh, to have an unlimited wallet for these things.

I think we are going to see some deep discounts on airline tickets 6 weeks before the flight, unless the other airlines decide to join BA and fly their planes empty.

Perhaps Delta should merge with Fed Ex or UPS?

BA have been flying empty planes because they have not been able to round up enough cabin crew, and they want to keep the multi-million parking slots at Heathrow.

It's lack of cabin crew not lack of passengers.

This may push UP not down the BA air fares ....

It's a BA thing ... I HOPE!!