Starting in 2003, many United States air carriers began eliminating free meal services in economy classes on North American flights and replacing them with buy on board services. In the 2000s US Airways (now part of American Airlines) briefly charged for soft drinks but then reversed course.

The transition from complimentary meals to "buy-on-board" programs began in earnest in the early 2000s, primarily driven by the financial crisis in the aviation industry following the events of 2001 and rising fuel costs. Northwest Airlines was one of the first major carriers to test charging for snacks in 2003, and by 2005, most major U.S. legacy carriers like United, American, and Delta had stripped free meals from their domestic economy cabins. While low-cost carriers like Southwest never really offered full meals, the "unbundling" of services became the industry standard to keep base fares low. By 2026, this trend has evolved further, with many airlines now offering high-quality, pre-ordered gourmet meals for a fee on shorter flights, while free full-service dining remains a staple primarily for long-haul international routes or premium cabin passengers.