so 5 1/2 months out QF starts cancelling flights on SYD/LAX.
So it's 31 Dec ?
FYI
Many people want to fly 2JAN, cos they all think they are somehow going to have a big New Years Eve (even though with kids, it's near impossible to get a babysitter that night).
So 2JAN fills up, then the realists realise that they are not going out NYE at all & then 1JAN & 31DEC fill up.
Oops, hold on 31DEC is not filling up, so QF cancels it.
When you can do a combo fare QF nonstop SYD/LAX late DEC, coming home midlate JAN direct on FJ on new A332's LAX/SYD from around $1540 PER ADULT inc all taxes & charges & QF can't sell that, then something is seriously wrong with forward bookings.