Ray-Ban Aviator: Airplanes Come First

You can’t just mention Ray-Ban without thinking of the Aviator model. It’s no surprise, as Aviators are not only the brand’s firstborn and part of the ICON collection, but also the most famous and best-selling sunglasses worldwide, including in Ukraine.

Pilots vs. the Sun

The history of Ray-Ban began in 1937 when the company Bausch & Lomb produced the first-ever Aviator sunglasses. The name perfectly reflected their purpose, as they were made on request from the U.S. Air Force.



The prototype was a pair of glasses called "Anti-Glare," created by Raymond Stegeman a year earlier for Air Force Lieutenant John A. Macready. According to the pilot, his eyes suffered from excessive sunlight during high-altitude flights. Macready’s request was simple: a combination of protection from rays and stylish design. From that small request, the great history of Ray-Ban Aviators began.

The model gained immense popularity after World War II, when photos of American soldiers landing in the Philippines spread worldwide. General Douglas MacArthur became a media favorite, and his iconic look always included a serious expression, a pipe, and—you guessed it—gold Aviators with gray-green lenses.

The Sleek Ranks of Pilots

Originally, this model had a metal frame with curved temples for a secure fit and teardrop-shaped lenses made of slightly curved mineral glass for protecting a larger part of the face. However, 75 years of history have passed, and today, there are many variations of Aviators with different technologies, materials, colors, and even sizes.

The G-15 (gray-green) and B-15 (brown) lenses were the first classic lenses for this classic model. Changes began in 1974 with the creation of innovative Ambermatic lenses (chameleons that change color from amber on cloudy days to dark brown on sunny ones), which hit the market in 1978.



After that, Ray-Ban couldn’t be stopped: innovation followed innovation. Over time, Aviators featured polarized, mirrored, gradient, bi-gradient lenses, and frames made of carbon, titanium, or gold.

Today, there are countless variations of "pilot sunglasses." To keep track, let’s make a little list!

1. Aviator Large/Small Metal

A classic model with a metal frame and glass lenses in various shades and technologies (standard, mirrored, polarized). It’s important to note that the model comes in two formats—regular (in three sizes) and small (+extra-small)—which increases the chances that Aviators will fit your face shape.

2. Aviator Flip Out

The technology of this version of Aviators allows you to change the lenses yourself. That’s why the collection is called Flip Out, meaning "snap" in English, reflecting the ease of swapping lenses.

The brand offers two versions of the Aviator Flip Out: with a set of interchangeable lenses in a small leather case or without.

3. Aviator Flash Lenses

Flash is the new word in mirrored glasses. These lenses are coated with several layers of silver using the "shimmering mirror" technology. As a result, glasses with these lenses reflect two colors in the sunlight: blue and green, yellow and orange, green and yellow-orange.

4. Folding Aviator

This model appeared in 2013. Folding means "collapsible." The technology is named because the sunglasses can be folded and unfolded whenever you like. A great solution for the relatively large Aviators.

5. Aviator Full Color

Metal and glass—as usual. Additionally, the front part of the frame is coated with plastic in the color of the lenses. The result: even more colorful and vibrant glasses (full color means exactly that).

6. Aviator Flat Metal

New steel-cutting technology has made the Aviator frame even thinner, lighter, and smoother. Plus, this variation includes glasses with plastic added to the inner part of the metal frame’s front.

The lenses here are made of improved polycarbonate: strengthened and lightened.

7. Aviator Titanium

The world-famous teardrop-shaped lens in a titanium frame. What does it offer? Unique lightness (50% lighter than other metals), TITANIC strength (long-lasting durability), increased corrosion resistance, hypoallergenic properties, elasticity, and flexibility.

8. Ultra Aviator

A version for the coolest pilots! A titanium frame coated in white or yellow gold combined with mirrored lenses using P3 Plus technology: polarization (glare protection) + hydro-oleophobic coating (dirt-repellent) + color contrast enhancement technology, allowing you to see the most vivid and clear image.

9. Aviator Liteforce

Another interesting innovation: a frame made of aviation-grade bio-plastic. This plastic stands out for its light weight (no more than 15 grams), durability, and strength, and for its precision in creating sleek and refined details!


This is the modern Ray-Ban Aviator family — for any taste, format, color, and occasion. The teardrop-shaped lenses of these sunglasses have become so popular that most companies in the industry have adopted them.



Since appearing on Tom Cruise in the movie *To Live and Die in L.A.* and Sylvester Stallone in *Cobra*, aviator sunglasses continue to be seen both on the streets of any city and on celebrities.

It’s worth noting that Ray-Ban "teardrops" suit everyone; they are a total unisex model. They’re worn by famous men like Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, David Beckham, Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto, Iggy Pop, Lenny Kravitz, and Jake Gyllenhaal. Among women, Lindsay Lohan, Olivia Wilde, Victoria Beckham, Julia Roberts, Megan Fox, Penelope Cruz, Drew Barrymore, and others wear them too.



Such widespread popularity of the Aviator speaks louder than any words in their praise. So yes, these are deservedly the best model from the best sunglasses brand in the world!