[roeles]

Gliders utilize Laminar profiles, while airliners use turbulent profiles.

The Laminar profiles perform better, but only when uncontaminated (no bugs or rain). Contaminated turbulent profiles perform better than contaminated Laminar profiles. Since regulations state that you should carry fuel for the worst case scenario, it does not yet make sense to design airliners with Laminar profiles.

Naturally, manufacturers are looking for ways around this.