I just nearly fell off my chair. A Virgin Atlantic return flight from LAX to LHR in May 2015 comes out at around $1800. It was $1300 a year ago and fuel costs are the lowest in ages.

I've typically found British Airways to be more expensive.

Any recommendations for cheaper alternatives before I start wading through thousands of price match sites? (I'd prefer non-stop).

Dek..there are threads in more detail...I have a United credit card...there are good sign up deals...been flying on points for years..

We have our UK flights booked for June...something like $200 in taxes.

Wait until less than 90 days from departure, until then you're over-paying. We got the best price for CLT-LHR last May about 70 days ahead.

BTW airlines get much of their fuel on long term contracts or at hedged prices, so their exposure to fuel prices both lags the market price and moderates the volatile short-term peaks and troughs. The price of oil has only slumped over the past three months, so the impact on airlines is still much less than many people imagine.

Thanks, I'll search the threads here. I have some virgin miles but not enough to make a difference.

Makes sense on the fuel.

I think I will wait until less than 90 days. I don't want to leave it too late this time though, as my dates are inflexible (brother's wedding).

And just to be clear...you obtain miles just by your normal spending pattern throughout the month, sticking everything on the card, not just by flying. It may not help for the immediate future but do look into it.

Yeah, I did get what you meant.
I currently use a Wells Fargo Visa and filter all my spending through that including bills. It barely gives me anything back though ($25 cash back every few months). So, it may serve me to switch cards.

Although I am trying to cut back on all spending, giving that I may be going back to college

He should have his wedding in Vegas, I say

Not always true.

American Airlines and merger partner US Airways could enjoy more than $2.5 billion in "tailwinds" in 2015 because Philadelphia's dominant airline does not hedge its jet-fuel costs.

American Airlines to reap benefits from oil-price decline

However they'll likely not cut prices but just remain competitive and reap the excess profits. When an airline hedges, it's a guessing game and the chances of being right aren't any better than not hedging.

I've just priced up SFO - LHR, which in my experience is usually a little more expensive than the LAX route for 2 adults, 1 6 year old and 1 baby for $3800 so $1800 seems ridiculously expensive. Isn't there a school holiday sometime in May? That maybe why. Might be worth trying a couple of extra dates in that vicinity. I saved myself $1200 by changing my dates by a few days.
One thing that has pissed me off though is although the one ticket will be for a 5 month old when she flies, obviously I don't have to pay for her ticket, I still have to pay her tax which is utter bollox!!!!
I've sometimes found booking near travel timess can end up with more expensive tickets rather than cheaper by the way.

Hmm -- just exchanged some SkyTeam miles for LAX-CDG-FCO and return FCO-JFK-LAX -- over $600 in taxes, fees and surcharges.

It probably is a school holiday as my brother has kids. I have to be in the UK to pick up a connecting flight that departs 24th May and returns 31st May.

It looks like the prices are hiked for the whole summer I have to go back to 15th May for it to get cheaper (about half the cost).

We had some family come out LHR-LAX by Air New Zealand and they said it was cheaper than BA and they had good service in economy, so that maybe worth having a look at.

The 25th is Memorial Day might be pushing the prices up.

I've flown that route with Air New Zealand a couple of times now - best airline I've flown with in years.

Agreed - highly recommended.