After initial development in some motorcycle and car models at the start of the 20th century, air suspension systems were first used on a large scale when building heavy aircraft during World War II to save weight because of their compact construction.

Later on, air suspension was also used in lighter aircraft and heavy trucks. Using a suspension system with adjustable ride height meant that the vehicle's axle height would stay the same no matter how much weight it was loaded with, which was helpful when carrying heavy equipment.

After the war, air suspension technology appeared more frequently in passenger cars. General Motors drew on its wartime experience and introduced air suspension as standard on the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham in 1957. Air suspension technology continued to evolve and improve; in 1993, the Range Rover Classic was offered with an Electronically Controlled Air Suspension (ECAS) system developed in the UK by the company now known as Dunlop Systems and Components.