How far ahead would you book a flight from Perth, Western Australia to Rome?

[ginder]

Hello all
We plan to travel to Rome from Perth approx. May 2013 and return in July 2013. When should I book to get the best priced flight? I am afraid I am only looking at economy flights.
I'd love to hear of any preferred airlines for the long flight. We will be bringing along a 10 year old child, so child-friendly airline would be great. Any advice appreciated regarding keeping a child entertained, too.
Thank you
ginder

 

[Boris spatsky]

I would go Emirates from Perth (dependant on price). One stop, good connections, good airline, fairly direct (more direct than most of the Asian airlines).

Price varies so much that it is hard to know. If you can find a good price now, book it. But with currency prices and price of oil, anything could happen.

 

[markis10]

Welcome to AFF ginder, a lot of airlines look at 6 months as a time to review seat inventory and put on sale spare seats, so I would be looking at November as a good booking time frame, of course if you see a fare in the interim that suits, grab it!

 

[ginder]

Thank you Boris and Markis10, I appreciate your comments.
I will not panic and just enjoy finding answers on this forum to my many questions, and then book. I will definitely consider Emirates. Also, the prices I am seeing that have been released for next year don't seem to be much different to what we paid 6 years ago. So why am I worried?.
Thanks again.
Ginder