Global economic growth and the need to replace older, less efficient aircraft will generate demand for more than 27,000 airplanes over the next 20 years—creating $2.6 trillion in airplane investment opportunities.

The single-aisle segment of the market will generate the greatest number of airplane investment opportunities with a requirement for well over 16,000 airplanes. On the other hand, twin-aisle airplanes, such as the Boeing 787 and 777, will capture 45% of the total airplane investment dollars, with more than 6,000 deliveries. The large airplane market, though accounting for fewer than 1,000 deliveries over the next 20 years, represents 10% of the market’s value or $260 billion.

Boeing’s entry in the large airplane segment, the new 747-8 Intercontinental and 747-8 Freighter, illustrates how Boeing builds investment value into its airplane products. The 747-8 incorporates many advanced features of the 787 Dreamliner to achieve higher efficiency, greater payload capability, longer range, and improved environmental performance. The 50 operators flying 747-400s today can gain these advantages using existing facilities and ground equipment and their same pool of pilots and cabin crews. Most importantly, they can fly into and out of all 210 airports around the world that the 747 can currently serve.

Boeing focuses on building airplanes that succeed as investments as well as commercial revenue earners. That means airplanes with the range, speed, and economic performance for varied markets; airplanes that are simple to reconfigure and transition to new owners, missions, and regions of service; and airplanes, that fit a wide variety of airline business plans. The tremendous market acceptance of the 747-8 Freighter, complemented by Lufthansa’s recent major order for the first 747-8 Intercontinental is a clear testament to Boeing’s product strategy.