10 inches more legroom, double the recline, better meals and a quieter cabin, with greater baggage allowance, and no seat is more than one away from the aisle. Bear in mind economy is a tight 10 abreast on the 777-200, and premium economy is 8 abreast, but as trooper said it's up to you what the extra width and legroom are worth, along with a small legrest/footrest and more recline.
The better meals and service are nice to have, but it's about the seat. You can also bid for an upgrade to business from premium economy, although that would be at least a few hundred dollars more and the odds of getting it probably are not high on this route.
I'd go direct to YVR over via LAX to Canada any day (although if you can get via LAX on premium economy for a lot less, the tradeoff may be worth it).
Another option is to look at premium economy on Air Canada via Sydney, which may be cheaper although a longer trip (and if you need the baggage allowance it means going PE to Sydney) and with inferior catering.
Last edited by libertyuk; Apr 6, 2017 at 10:30 am