I do not believe that these examples are the exception at all! I have yet to find Easyjet much or any less expensive than the likes of BA, BD, LH etc. I firmly believe that much of the sucess of the likes of Ryan and Easy can be attributed to public misconception - Joe Public checks Easy/Ryan for fares and often just books believing that they will be the cheapest, without thinking to check fares on BA etc.
And before anyone shouts at me, yes I know you can find very very cheap fares but my experience tells me that these are difficult to find!