I was asked last night "Why don't commercial airliners (747, A380,
etc) have 'super wings' like gliders?" I mumbled something semi-
coherent but didn't really know the correct answer.

So, would high aspect ratio and highly efficient glider-like wings
enhance fuel economy for all airplanes? What are the engineering
tradeoffs for wing design between a hulking airliner and a slim/trim
glider?

Sign me "I ain't no AeroE".

Thanks, John