FedEx has unveiled a special retro livery on one of its Boeing 777 freighters, paying tribute to company founder Fred Smith, who passed away in June 2025 at the age of 80.
The aircraft features the original purple and orange colors of Federal Express from the 1970s, when Smith launched the company and began building what would become one of the world’s largest express delivery networks.
The tribute went beyond the aircraft’s paint. The Boeing 777 made a ceremonial arrival in Memphis as Flight 1944, representing Smith’s birth year, and was among the first aircraft to arrive at the airport after it was renamed in his honor.
The aircraft also carries the name “Rosie,” honoring Smith’s granddaughter, who was born shortly before his passing. The name follows a long-standing FedEx tradition in which aircraft are named after children of company employees.
Smith, a U.S. Marine veteran, served two tours in Vietnam before founding Federal Express in Memphis. On its first night of operations in April 1973, the company delivered just 186 packages using a small fleet of aircraft. Despite doubts that overnight delivery could succeed, Smith’s vision eventually transformed the global logistics industry.
