American Airlines To Charge For First Checked Bag Under a plan announced Wednesday by American Airlines, passengers already forced to pay extra for amenities like earphones, meals and even snacks will have to pay $15 to check a basic piece of baggage. American Airlines' plan is part of a larger effort by the industry to find new ways to improve revenue in the face of soaring fuel prices and a slumping economy. The airlines anticipated a multibillion-dollar loss this year, even before oil's latest spike above $130 a barrel Wednesday.