There is a common myth that airline travel is cheaper the further in advance you book it, so the myth goes if you book a trip for December in March, it will probably be cheaper than booking that December trip in October or November. However, the reality of the situation is that if you wait until October or November to book that trip there is a good chance you will be able to get it for less money, not more, the sweet spot for airlines discounting fares is two weeks to two months in advance.

Your situation is slightly complicated by the Christmas holiday, and I don't know when you planned on returing, but for Transatlantic flights, there are often good deals to be had during the holidays, so I don't think that is a complicating factor. In fact, there are often very good sales on Business Class seats around the holidays, you can fly US-Europe/Europe-US for $1,500 or so in paid Biz Class around Thanksgiving and Christmas over the past few years, and my money would be on similar deals being available this holiday season too.

Yes they did. I have to credit the intervention of http://www.ffocus.org for their help.