Yes, the LHR - ZRH segment will be on a glorified economy seat, but I can survive that, will be hopping on a TG flight to Bangkok from there, so lots of sleeping time from YYZ - LHR and again ZRH - BKK.

Sounds like it is best to stay where we are, hopefully the weather blast in Europe does not act up again in January.

Am looking at other routes that go via southern europe, but nothing found so far that does not mean sitting in an airport for 8 - 10 or more hours somewhere.

Ideally would find something over the Pacific (going to Sydney in the end) but nothing appearing in J class that way.