On May 21, 2008, American Airlines announced that passengers would pay $15 for their first checked bag, starting June 15. The airline gave high fuel prices as the reason.
Southwest Airlines held out longest. For years it advertised “Bags Fly Free” and let passengers check two bags at no charge. On March 11, 2025, it announced that passengers booking from May 28, 2025, would pay for checked luggage.