My apologies if a similar question has been answered elsewhere, but my searches came up empty. Also, mods, please move this if it belongs someplace else!

I have a situation that I need my fellow flyertalker's opinions on - I am trying to get two friends RT from VIE -> LAX for the dates of 04/15/16 - 05/06/16. Firing up the ITA Matrix reveals that Turkish air is our best bet, at around $826/pp. Kayak returns similar results.

Questions: I'm trying to figure out a cheaper fare - is this even reasonable, or is that about how much I can expect to pay?

Are there airlines that could work that wouldn't show up in an ITA search?

Turkish Air: on a scale between [your favorite carrier] to Air Canada Rouge, where do they rank?

Would it be too early to book in mid-July?

Difficulty: we're paying cash, so no points magic is available.
we have very little flexibility
if possible, I'd like to keep their legs under 16 hours

Literally ANY advice on this would be much appreciated. Thank you for reading!

Flyertalk is not a fare request site. You should find a Travel Agent or do your research using online agencies for best fares.

thanks for your reply!

maybe I was unclear in my post, but i'm not requesting specific fares: I'd like to know how others would strategize (sp?) making such a booking, in case I've got some blind spots in my research.

Someone messaged me info about figuring out a positioning flight, which was helpful! ^

TK is considered a good airline with decent service, nice new aircraft, and good food.

There's no need to rush into booking right this second for that far out if you want a better deal. I'd keep an eye on The Flight Deal, Secret Flying and the Good Deals in Economy Class thread in the Mileage Run Deals forum here on FT for cheap tickets to/from LAX to another destination in Europe. Buy those, then buy tix from Vienna to there. You might try Oslo - there have been a lot of cheap fares out of there this year, and flying via OSL is shorter than via IST.

Maybe change your dates and the price may be cheaper. When you have fixed dates, go on kayak and book what looks good. Maybe fares will go up maybe down. No one here has a crystal ball. Maybe you should hire the person that PMd you to be your travel agent.

Thanks, everyone! OSL is looking like a good idea, and THANK YOU re: the info on turkish air. It looks like I know what to watch out for now, and I feel more confident when making the booking.

Check out Norwegian Air as well. They have ultra-cheap fares (and sales sometimes, so might want to wait). Note that their lowest fair includes just a 10kg carry on. Extra for checked bag, seat selection, even meals. But if they're flexible on departure airport and/or date, there are some nice prices. For example:

MUC-LAX (stop in OSL or ARN each way) 4/13-5/7 511E
BUD-LAX (stop in OSL or CPH each way) 4/10-5/4 484E
PRG-LAX (stop in OSL or CPH each way) 4/15-5/4 531E