Standby for a rehash of the high-speed 747-400 which, if Boeing had had the guts, would have been flying by now.
Boeing, after years of design leadership, is falling prey to the same malady as the US car industry several years ago. Weak kneed leadership and overly powerful bean counters too concerned with next weeks share price to spend money on new projects. The Sonic Cruiser only stood a chance of production if several major airlines had lined up with orders. The beancounters would then have signed off on the concept. As it is, with the airlines in disarray and not enough firm orders, the Sonic Cruiser is dead.
Boeings only alternative is the high-speed 747. It is the only airframe they have which can be coaxed to 0.95 without enormous redesign.
Pity no innovative company can raise the vast amounts of capital needed to get into the aeroplane business. Hell, Boeing cannot even build a successful low tech. low risk RJ!