FedEx Unveils Retro Boeing 777 to Honor Founder Frederick Smith

FedEx Express has unveiled a retro Boeing 777 livery to commemorate its founder, Frederick Smith. The aircraft, registration N884FD, was repainted with the carrier's former livery featuring a light purple top half and white bottom half separated by an orange cheatline.

This special livery is part of a series of celebrations marking the legacy of FedEx's founder, who passed away in June 2025 at the age of 80. On what would have been his 82nd birthday, August 11, 2026, the retrojet was unveiled as part of the inaugural FedEx FWS Day of Service.

The aircraft is named Rosie after one of Smith's granddaughters who was born shortly before his passing. FedEx has also renamed Memphis International Airport in honor of its founder, citing its strategic geographic location and reliable weather as reasons for choosing it as a hub in 1973.