FedEx Express History: From 14 Falcons to a Global Fleet – Airline Employee Shop

FedEx Express History

Federal Express began with 14 small jets and one big idea, overnight delivery, and grew into the world's best-known cargo airline. Here's a short history of FedEx Express, plus the FedEx collection that celebrates it.

Fred Smith's overnight idea (1971-1977)

Fred Smith founded Federal Express on June 18, 1971, in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1973 the company moved to Memphis, Tennessee. On the night of April 17, 1973, it began overnight service with 14 Dassault Falcon 20 jets linking 25 U.S. cities. It carried 186 packages that first night. Federal Express installed its first drop box in 1975 and turned its first profit in 1976.

Big jets and the Superhub (1977-1993)

When air cargo was deregulated in 1977, Federal Express bought its first large jets, seven Boeing 727-100s. It listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1978. In 1981 it started service to Canada and officially opened its Memphis "Superhub." Sales passed $1 billion in 1983. In 1989 it bought the Flying Tiger Line, which brought a large international network, and opened a hub in Anchorage.

Becoming FedEx (1994-2013)

In 1994 the company rebranded as FedEx and launched fedex.com with online package tracking. A hub at Subic Bay in the Philippines opened in 1995, and a European hub opened at Paris Charles de Gaulle in 1999. In 2000 the parent became FedEx Corporation and the airline became FedEx Express. The Asia hub moved to Guangzhou in 2009, and a hub at Cologne Bonn opened in 2010. The last Boeing 727 retired on June 21, 2013, and the first Boeing 767-300F arrived that September.

Honoring the founder (2018-today)

Raj Subramaniam was named to lead FedEx Express in 2018, and in 2022 he succeeded Fred Smith as CEO of FedEx. Fred Smith died in June 2025 at age 80. In August 2026 Memphis renamed its airport Frederick W. Smith International Airport. To mark the day, FedEx flew a Boeing 777 in its original 1973 purple and red-orange livery with the words "Federal Express."

A few things collectors love

  • FedEx names its aircraft after employees' children. The custom began with a Falcon named "Wendy," after Fred Smith's daughter, and more than 700 children have been honored.
  • The retro "Federal Express" livery on the 777 recalls the original 1973 Falcon fleet.
  • The first night's flying, 186 packages to 25 cities, is one of the great origin stories in aviation.

Shop FedEx

Browse FedEx logo T-shirts, coffee mugs, coasters, tote bags and vintage designs in the FedEx collection. Add an airline bag tag or key tag for the frequent flyer in your life.

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