US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Questions on booking int. ff awards

What is the earliest you can book? 1 year ahead? When you do, how do you handle the return ticket? It seems like you can book the outbound portion but then it will be too soon to book the inbound?
Also, what do you think my chances are of getting five ff economy tickets on a flight from ft. lauderdale to manchester england?
I know there are only a certain amount of seats allowed per plane.
Thanks, Pam

Generally it is 330 days ahead. NW allows you to book award travel 352 days ahead, but only by phone, not online.

Best strategy is to book a RT say out Saturday, back Sunday, then keep "walking" the return out before you have to ticket. I believe they will hold the res for 7 days before ticketing.

Award travel to Europe is limited, in the summer very hard to get and other times you are better off buying a (cheap) revenue ticket and getting the miles. 5 seats? Good luck!

Sometimes you get lucky around a schedule change when they introduce a "new" flite and they have lots of seats on it.