Inside the $63bn Deal Reshaping AI Finance
Published on 29 October 2026
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Every few months, it seems, the news trumpets another colossal aircraft order. One minute, Boeing is celebrating a multi-billion-pound deal with a flag-carrying airline. The next, Airbus has swooped in and nabbed an even bigger contract. It’s presented as a titanic struggle, a two-horse race for the skies. And like any good race, most people feel compelled to pick a side. But what if I told you the smartest money isn't on either horse, but on the company that sells the horseshoes?
To me, the endless Boeing versus Airbus rivalry is a fantastic bit of theatre. It’s great for headlines, but it distracts from the real, and perhaps more interesting, investment story. The truth is, these two giants, for all their public spats, are utterly dependent on the very same network of highly specialised companies. And that, for a shrewd investor, is where things get interesting.
Think about it. Building a modern commercial jet is a ridiculously complex affair. We’re talking about millions of individual parts, from the enormous engines slung under the wings to the little screen you watch terrible films on. These components don’t just appear out of thin air at Boeing’s Seattle factory or Airbus’s facility in Toulouse. They are sourced from a global web of suppliers who have spent decades, and fortunes, perfecting their craft.
Once a company like General Electric gets its engine certified for a new plane, or Raytheon gets its landing gear approved, do you really think an aircraft manufacturer is going to risk switching? Of course not. The costs and regulatory hoops are prohibitive. Airlines want proven, reliable parts, not experimental widgets. This creates a powerful moat around these suppliers. They become less like vendors and more like indispensable partners, profiting no matter whose logo is painted on the tail fin.
The sheer scale of the order books is what truly cements this opportunity. Right now, Boeing and Airbus are sitting on combined backlogs of more than eleven thousand aircraft. Let me put that another way. At current production rates, they have enough confirmed work to keep their factories, and by extension their suppliers, humming for the better part of a decade. Can you name another industry with that kind of built-in, predictable demand? I’ll wait.
This predictable pipeline of work is the central pillar of the investment case, a dynamic we explore in our Supplying The Skies: The Boeing & Airbus Effect basket. Every single one of those thousands of planes needs engines, flight controls, cabin interiors, and countless other systems. This translates into a steady, long-term stream of revenue for the companies that make them, insulating them from the drama of who won the latest sales campaign in Dubai or Singapore.
Now, let’s not get carried away. This isn't a risk-free punt. The aerospace industry is notoriously cyclical. An economic downturn can see airlines slam the brakes on new orders faster than you can say "recession". We saw just how quickly things can turn sour during the pandemic. Furthermore, the supply chain itself can be a source of headaches. A problem at one critical supplier can cause production nightmares for everyone, a vulnerability that has been laid bare in recent years.
Still, I think the fundamental logic holds. As global travel continues its recovery, airlines need new, more fuel-efficient planes. The pressure on both Boeing and Airbus to ramp up production is immense. This gives key suppliers significant leverage. They are not just taking orders, they are essential cogs in a machine that is desperate to get moving faster. For investors, looking past the headline rivalry to the companies that make it all possible could be a far more pragmatic way to play the long game in aviation.
View the full Basket:Supplying The Skies: The Boeing & Airbus Effect
View the full Basket:Supplying The Skies: The Boeing & Airbus Effect
This article is marketing material and should not be construed as investment advice. No information set out in this article be considered, as advice, recommendation, offer, or a solicitation, to buy or sell any financial product, nor is it financial, investment, or trading advice. Any references to specific financial product or investment strategy are for illustrative / educational purposes only and subject to change without notice. It is the investor’s responsibility to evaluate any prospective investment, assess their own financial situation, and seek independent professional advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Please refer to our Risk Disclosure.
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