More than two decades after Europe’s failed attempt at a supersonic airliner, the USA is on track to make it work.

Eight planemakers are currently producing passenger jets around the world with Airbus and Boeing dominating the list.

At the time that the Concorde was being developed, there wasn’t just the competition from the Tu-144 team, but also the Boeing 2702 (pictured) and Lockheed L-2000, with the latter two ultimately ...