In the last few days EI have hired in an Omni Air Boeing 777 which has operated to BOS as well as ORD. It look like it is an all economy aircraft with no business class seats. This could explain it.

I've been using Gold Circle Elite / Concierge upgrades since about 2009 and never been downgraded. In fact I am using them this Friday to IAD. Fingers crossed nothing goes awry. I see EI-LAX returned to DUB this afternoon having made it as far as Greenland.