Prices of Flights to the States

We're planning a big family trip to the States in August. Well we were, anyway.  Looking at flight prices last night I got really depressed. For two adults and two children the lowest price we could find was ~ £1650. Ouch! Richard swears prices will go down the closer we get to August but I've always been told that the sooner tickets are booked the better the chance at getting good deals. Anyway, has anyone had luck finding lower prices?

august is a super expensive time to travel

i can say that when my in laws came over for our wedding (end of august) they booked around this time of year.  About 4 months later, the prices dropped signifigantly BUT it would have been risky if there is a certain event or time you are planning on being back for!

No prices wont go down. If anything they will go up Im afraid. This is how the airlines make their money. They take advantage of everyone's holiday time off work and school.
What we have done in the past however is keep an eye out for airline promotions. Twice we were able to get buy one get one free tickets on American Airlines. Granted once we had to buy 24 bags of Dorito's but it was worth it! The time after that all we had to do is go to the cinema and watch Big Fish. So watch the newpapers. Ill post something if/when I find something.

We booked in May for when my girls flew in August last year.  It was really expensive and the price didn't change much between January(when we started looking) and when we eventually booked.

We are looking to arrange a trip starting with Easter weekend in April and going through that first bank holiday weekend in May.  So if anyone stumbles upon anything between now & the time we book - give a shout.  While I know it's possible to land a cheaper transatlantic fare -- I'm trying to determine whether it's cheaper and less hassle (in the long run) to book all our flights on the same itinerary (vs pricing & booking them out separately in the hopes of getting cheaper deals?).  Pebbles, maybe you would know about that, having worked for airlines?  Or maybe MeShell would know, being a travel agent?

Unfortunately, it always ends up being far too expensive 'cause in the time we're there -- we go (fly into/out of) to Kansas, Georgia, Florida and Maryland.  We stay with family in Georgia and Maryland, but usually have to spring for accommodations in Kansas and Florida.

Last time, DH complained 'cause there wasn't enough 'fun time' (vs family/friend visiting time) so this time we hope to squeeze in an extra side trip to NYC -- I've never been, and neither has he.  We'll probably take Amtrak to/from Baltimore for going to NYC though.

Also, instead of flying into Wichita, we may go to KC this time (my mom's down nearer Wichita) but then I can show him my old haunts in KC & Lawrence.

I'm excited, but already exhausted thinking about THIS trip.

Thanks for all the replies so far! I was pretty certain the high prices were due to holiday fares (argh!).  I've been surprised to find that flights to the East coast are pretty much the same as flights to the West coast. I was hoping to cut down on prices by flying to the East coast then hopping a no frills flight to Seattle. Nothing doing.

Pebbles, cheers for any heads up you come across!

ugh.  My boyfriend is planning to come over in April during his Easter hols, but I'm booking the ticket on my credit card since he doesn't have one and we're splitting the cost.  Prices for LGW-RDU were at $529 two weeks ago....now they're $718   This completely and totally blows.  But it's worth it to have him here, I guess- especially since our anniversary happens to fall on Good Friday this year   

august is ONE of the most expensive months to fly...if not THE most.

 Maybe you could switch the months? Winter is pretty cheap....

When I first came to visit hubby it was in august a couple years ago, my ticket was $225 but I booked it 2 months ahead of time. Like Ricki said,the closer to the day the higher it will be

august is ONE of the most expensive months to fly...if not THE most.

 Maybe you could switch the months? Winter is pretty cheap....

No kidding. I just came back from a visit to the States last week. My direct flight on Continental from Houston to London was $400. Just out of curiosity, I looked at the same flight in August. It was $762. And that's like seven months in advance! Is there any way you could go back over the holidays instead?