I have to travel from London to Los Angeles in January next year. I am there for a week, and have taken an interest in the ex-LIS fares, and other similar opportunities throughout Europe. ex-LIS is about €4k, so not a great deal.

ex-VIE seems to be a good deal at the moment, but is €2600 (or thereabouts) for CW the best that I can get, it's not a lot more than that direct from the UK? Would I get a better deal in First?

I am travelling on a Monday and returning the folowing Sunday, and although the loads seem to be heavy on the way out and back (thanks to the Availability Tool), there seems to be a lot of fluctuation in the fares from LIS, VIE and other airports that I have tried.

Any idea about sales happening for seats at this time? Also, are restricted tickets purchased ex-ALMOST ANYWHERE but UK in either J or F any more flexible than they are if purchased from the UK? Does the 42 day advance fare always apply (ie. are seats ever kept at the lower price past 42 days?), and does this apply to seat purchased ex-ALMOST ANYWHERE but UK?

I know there are a lot of questions, and feel free to ignore them (although I would prefer if you didn't!). If there are posts already which might help - feel free to point me in the right direction, but I have already done some searching on FT, the trouble being that sales end and information changes so quickly... Welcome to the world of the Internet....

Your assistance is appreciated...