I've seen 2-4-2 on a 767 and, believe me, you don't want to fly from Vancouver to Europe in those seats! It's not the number of seats across that's critical but the width and pitch.
There are a number of sites that show you the way airlines cram in the seats. I tend to use Seat Guru but there are others.
If you can afford it consider stepping up a class. Most transatlantic carriers now offer a premium economy with wider seats and more legroom.