I too have been having problems similar to you. I am looking for four seats next July from Europe to Florida and hoped to confirm these early for the same reasons as yourself. Each time I contact OP I get conflicting advice, but it does seem that there are no seats available between April and August of next year. I even e-mailed OP and got three replies - all giving different advice! The best information suggests that seats are made available as and when "Revenue Operators" decide to release them and there seems to be no rules as to when that is. I have had several FF trips across the Atlantic with other airlines and have found dealing with Continental the least rewarding. Keep pestering them seems all you can do!