The best way to get the best price on airline tickets is to start your search and purchase it months in advance. If you will be heading to Europe for the summer, then four or five months before that is when you should begin looking. If you are purchasing for yourself, return to a few websites to check their prices and if you will work with a travel agent, then that person can give you advice on the best time to buy.
Maybe you want a be in Europe in September, so then you would search for flights to London in May or June. Winter time is not as popular so a trip in November through March does not need more an a month or so on advance. Holidays and winter breaks are the exception here.
It is a good idea to find out when the peak season begins because airfares will certainly vary by season and also by the day. Often you can save hundreds of dollars by just moving your departure date out by just one day. It is common knowledge that leaving on a week day, Monday thru Thursday, will cost you less than if you choose to leave on a weekend. Fuel surcharges will vary also and each airline will be different.
