Hello. I'll be going to New York City for a week in early December and wondering if I should book my return flights now or hold off a bit until a bit closer to my departure date (my hotel is booked from the 5th of December). I'm hoping I may come across a fare sale or something. On the other hand, I don't want to leave it too late and suddenly find myself paying the earth for flights! Any thoughts on this would be well appreciated. Many thanks

There are fare sales right now from the US to Europe. If you find a good deal book it. You are probably not going to find anything under $600 round trip. But I can't really give you much advice on flights FROM Europe.

If contributors on this forum could answer that question, we'd be rich. Trying to predict airfares is more difficult than trying to predict the weather. Best advice is to monitor airfares so you get an idea of what the going rate for your planned trip is for the time period you will be traveling. When you see what looks like a good fare "book it".

I would not anticipate fares going down. December is a very popular time to visit NYC, and the number of seats on planes is fixed.

Thank you all for the advice! I'll probably wait a couple of weeks and monitor fares in the meantime. In the past I've noticed British Airways fare sales round about October/November for flights in December/January but that might not be happening this year so perhaps I won't wait too long. Thanks again.

Yes, but early December is usually busier. By the end of the month most people want to be at home for the holidays and Jan in NYC is not fun. So a sale might not cover early Dec.

Thanks nytraveler I'll won't chance it and will look to get my flights sorted out this weekend.

I've plumped for British Airways flight from Heathrow to JFK for £443 return. Shocked to see that they want £28.00 each way for a seat reservation so I will try to turn up early at check-in and bag myself a window seat!

Most of the airlines are ding that now. I always pay- but it's usually $10 or so - granted for a shorter flight - for both aisle seat and early boarding. (I can't stand having to fight for a place above my seat for my one carry-on because earlier boarders have brought half their personal goods with them.)