Is there a "high altitude" aerofoil ?
The context is GA.
Compare a typical IFR tourer, say a TB20, with its relatively thick wing, with say the Malibu Mirage with its much thinner (and longer) wing.
The former might have a respectable ceiling, e.g. FL250 if turbocharged, while the latter goes higher, say FL270, but not vastly higher. OTOH the former will be right at its ceiling at FL250, with a high AOA, while the latter will cruise at FL250.
What is the theory behind this wing aerofoil difference, and what are the tradeoffs?