"Just noticed today at work EI-CVA, EI-CVB, EI-CVC & EI-CVD are marked as ''tfr AMS Airlines'' from Jan 11. So their getting rid of 4 A320's to AMS Airlines & replacing them with two, first fleet reduction in a while at EI............"
I asume you are looking at the jethros fleet listings site? I was talking to a mate who is a subscriber to the Irish Air Letter. It is mostly on the money for EI news. It states that EI are withdrawing 3 of the A321 from the fleet and taking delivery of 4 new A320 in Q1 2011. It even has the MSN numbers for the 4 aircraft,although I don't have them to hand myself!
In terms to the extra charge for rows 1-5, I tihnk this is mainly to cater for the pax who wish to get off as quickly as possible.