Speed Check.
£20M to easyJet brought them (so far) over 6 successful years of flying at a profit ,the ability to expand at a decent rate and a brand name that was a household name witihin 12 months.
£20M to BA would cover 10 days of unprofitable flying.
IMO unfair to criticise the easyJet management and setup just for being able to run an airline more successfully than other 'traditional' carriers. I know who I'd rather trust my money with when buying tickets months in advance.