Not only Europe, I got a $3,800 Z fare for next week from IAD-HKG purchased 25 days out. After paying over $10k 2 months before it was a nice sight.

Though I am relatively new to the Asia trips it is pretty easy to figure out that doing a Mon/Tues to Mon-Wed itinerary drops the costs significantly so that is what I do, maybe means a day or two extra in HKG/Souther China, but I could think of worse places to spend a couple of days.

Think that timing also helps on upgrade chances on a what is reportedly a pretty tough route.