FedEx vs United Airlines: Founders, CEOs and History
FedEx was founded in 1971 by Frederick W. Smith and is led by Raj Subramaniam. United Airlines was founded in 1926 by Walter T. Varney, William Boeing and is led by Scott Kirby.
Company facts
FedEx
- Founded
- 1971
- Headquarters
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Current CEO
- Raj Subramaniam
- Employees
- 529,000
United Airlines
- Founded
- 1926
- Headquarters
- Chicago, Illinois
- Current CEO
- Scott Kirby
- Employees
- 113,200
Founders
FedEx
Frederick W. Smith
Frederick W. Smith founded Federal Express in 1971 and ran it for more than 50 years, building the hub-and-spoke overnight delivery model now used across the express industry.
United Airlines
Walter T. Varney
Walter T. Varney founded Varney Air Lines, which won Contract Air Mail Route 5 and flew its first route between Pasco, Washington, and Elko, Nevada, via Boise, on April 6, 1926.
William Boeing
William Boeing formed Boeing Air Transport in 1927 to fly the Chicago-San Francisco air mail route and then, with Frederick Rentschler, created United Aircraft and Transport Corporation in 1929.
CEOs and their tenures
FedEx
- Frederick W. Smith1971–2025
Founder, Chief Executive Officer (1971-2022) and Executive Chairman (2022-2025)
He invented the modern overnight express delivery industry, building FedEx from a Yale University term paper into a massive global logistics empire before retiring as CEO in 2022.
Source - Raj Subramaniam2022–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Under Subramaniam, FedEx revenue rose from $87.693 billion in FY2024 to $94.720 billion in FY2026, the company merged its operating companies into Federal Express, rolled out Network 2.0, and completed the June 2026 FedEx Freight spin-off.
Source - R. Brad Martin2025–present
Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board
As Chairman of the Board, he oversees the ongoing multi-billion dollar cost-cutting initiatives designed to close the operating margin gap with rival UPS.
Source
United Airlines
- Oscar Munoz2015–2020
Former CEO
Munoz handed over to Scott Kirby in May 2020 and served as executive chairman for a transition period.
Source - J. Scott Kirby2020–present
Chief Executive Officer
Under Kirby, United's revenue rose from $15.4 billion in 2020 to a record $59.1 billion in 2025, with premium cabins and MileagePlus as the main growth drivers.
Source
Timeline: FedEx and United Airlines side by side
1926United Airlines
Varney Air Lines begins
United traces its roots to Varney Air Lines and early air mail service.
1931United Airlines
United Air Lines organized
United Air Lines was formed to manage airline subsidiaries tied to United Aircraft and Transport.
1971FedEx
Federal Express Founded
Frederick W. Smith incorporates Federal Express Corporation, planning to build an overnight air-delivery network around a central Memphis hub.
1973FedEx
Commercial Operations Begin
Federal Express begins commercial service from Memphis using a hub-and-spoke overnight model, surviving early near-bankruptcy on fuel costs.
1978FedEx
FedEx Goes Public
The company completes its initial public offering to finance network expansion.
1997United Airlines
Star Alliance founded
United became one of the founding members of Star Alliance.
1998FedEx
Caliber System Acquisition
FedEx acquires Caliber System for about $2.4 billion, adding the assets that become FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight.
2004FedEx
Acquired Kinko's
FedEx acquired Kinko's for $2.4 billion. FedEx bought Kinko's for about $2.4 billion and rebranded the stores as FedEx Office.
2010United Airlines
Continental merger closes
UAL Corporation completed the Continental merger, later operating under the United brand.
2015United Airlines
Oscar Munoz becomes CEO
Oscar Munoz became chief executive of United in September 2015.
2016FedEx
TNT Express Acquisition
FedEx acquires TNT Express for about $4.4 billion to expand its European and international express network.
2020United Airlines
Scott Kirby becomes CEO
Scott Kirby succeeded Oscar Munoz as CEO in May 2020.
2022FedEx
Raj Subramaniam Becomes CEO
Raj Subramaniam succeeds founder Frederick W. Smith as CEO, becoming only the second CEO in FedEx history, and launches the DRIVE and Network 2.0 transformation programs.
2025FedEx
Founder Fred Smith Dies
Frederick W. Smith dies on June 21, 2025. Longtime director R. Brad Martin becomes chairman and later executive chairman.
2025United Airlines
Revenue reaches record level
United reported record 2025 total operating revenue of $59.1 billion.
2026FedEx
FedEx Freight Spin-Off Completed
On June 1, 2026 FedEx completes the spin-off of FedEx Freight Holding Company, which begins trading on the NYSE as FDXF.
2026FedEx
FY2026 Revenue Reaches $94.7B
FedEx reports $94.720 billion in FY2026 revenue, $4.433 billion in net income, and capex of 4.0% of revenue, a record low ratio.
2026United Airlines
Q2 2026 revenue up 16%
United reported Q2 2026 revenue of $17.7 billion and raised full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $9-$11 despite nearly $6 billion in added fuel costs.
Acquisitions
FedEx
- ShopRunner2020Undisclosed
- TNT Express2016$4.4B
- Kinko's2004$2.4B
- Parcel Direct2004Undisclosed
- American Freightways2001Undisclosed
- Caliber System1998$2.4B
Questions about FedEx vs United Airlines
Who is the CEO of FedEx Corporation and United Airlines Holdings, Inc.?
FedEx Corporation is led by Raj Subramaniam and United Airlines Holdings, Inc. is led by Scott Kirby. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was FedEx Corporation founded vs United Airlines Holdings, Inc.?
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1926 — 45 years before FedEx Corporation, which was founded in 1971. United Airlines Holdings, Inc.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger FedEx Corporation.
How many employees does FedEx Corporation have compared to United Airlines Holdings, Inc.?
FedEx Corporation employs approximately 529,000 people, while United Airlines Holdings, Inc. employs approximately 113,200. FedEx Corporation has the larger workforce at 529,000 employees, compared to United Airlines Holdings, Inc.'s 113,200. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are FedEx Corporation and United Airlines Holdings, Inc. headquartered?
Both FedEx Corporation and United Airlines Holdings, Inc. are headquartered in United States, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded FedEx Corporation and United Airlines Holdings, Inc.?
FedEx Corporation was founded by Frederick W. Smith. United Airlines Holdings, Inc. was founded by Walter T. Varney, William Boeing.
Which company has a longer operating history — FedEx Corporation or United Airlines Holdings, Inc.?
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. has been operating for approximately 100 years, making it the more established of the two companies. FedEx Corporation has been in operation for around 55 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the FedEx vs United Airlines overview