"Premium Economy is seen as a smart move for anyone on a budget - the food is similar to Business and the seat pitch is a great deal better."
I'd go along with the first part of the sentence having used the BA product on several occasions. But the second part - I would have thought it should read "- the food is similar to *Economy* and the seat pitch is a great deal better."
As to whether to go via east or west I think you'll find the fare is the same so going round the world is a possibility. The flight is longer via Hong Kong but if you go via Los Angeles you have to go through US immigration I believe (even though you are not actually going to the US). I also think you'll find the fares allow a stop en route so you could get off for one night each way which might make a non-business option more palatable without too much extra cost.