FedEx unveils retro-liveried Boeing 777F to honor founder

FedEx has unveiled a Boeing 777F freighter featuring a retro livery inspired by the company’s original purple-and-orange Federal Express branding from the 1970s. The aircraft, named ‘Rosie’ in honor of a granddaughter of founder Frederick W. Smith, made a ceremonial landing at the Frederick W. Smith International Airport in Memphis.

The tribute follows the death of Smith in June 2025. To mark the occasion, the company also debuted a mural near the airport composed of FedEx aircraft tails and launched the inaugural FWS Day of Service, a global annual volunteer program. The airport, which serves as a major global cargo hub, was recently renamed to honor Smith’s role in pioneering the overnight express delivery industry and the hub-and-spoke distribution model.