When do fares start going up?

Ya !! Just after they stop going down. Impossible to predict. There is really no pattern and whatever pattern existed in prior years has been disrupted by current economics. Personally think a thousand is very reasonable for July.

I too think $1000 is reasonable from Seattle to Europe, but fares are going to be highly unpredictable. I find the old saying "book early or fares will go up" to be no longer true. I find many great fares within 14 days of departure, most of which are less than what I would have paid months in advance. If it is in the budget and the flight times work for you, then just book it, but it is a long time from now to don't stress.

I've been tracking fares for July from LAX to London and think the $1000 fare you're finding is a bargain. If it includes all taxes and fees, I would snap it up right now.

It seems like a really fare price!

Agreed that that is a great price, though I'm guessing it's a less desirable set of flights. (If it's the AF nonstop buy it NOW!! Though I can't imagine it is.) You might not care at all, and with a whole family to buy tickets for I get that, but if it's Icelandic Air, for example, know that you're going to be in a 3-3 single aisle plane.

Also think about your itinerary. I normally travel outside of high season and wait for fare discounts. In 2010, I traveled in July Dulles to Copenhagen. The fares never went down so I bought before the direct flight sold out (literally bought two of the remaining three seats on the plane). If I had waited any longer, I would have paid several hundred more for a flight with an en route connection.

As soon as you know your specific dates, you should book your tickets. Ticket prices go up and down, but the number of available seats on your travel dates ALWAYS goes down. This is a particular concern when you're traveling as a family.

I am also going to Europe in July. I have been tracking the prices on air fare to try and get a good deal. I have been looking for Business or First class. Both of those jumped $1,500 today on the airlines I have been tracking. Guess I should have bought yesterday! So, if you see great fares on the flights you want, then nail down your travel dates and buy now.

Yep. And as oil climbs over $100 per barrel, one can assume that airfare and/or fees will be higher this summer than what we've seen the last two years. I wouldn't wait too long when you see a fare you're comfortable with...nab it right away.

Agree with Mark. A flight I was tracking jumped $313 overnight (late May dates).

I actually had the opposite last night...fares to two cities I'm tracking for an off-season trip dropped on my preferred airline by about $60. This has to be an exception, because everything else I've seen recently, especially for summer travel, has jumped in the last week. Even for off-season, I'm not expecting the fares I just mentioned to be around for long...decision time.