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The Playboy jet: How Hugh Hefner traveled in style
In 1969, Hugh Hefner was the king of the world. His magazine empire was at its peak, and he was about to expand Playboy to 37 different countries. At the time, one quarter of all American college age men were buying his magazine - every single month.
So - what is a successful and flamboyant magazine publisher to do? Well, in the case of Mr. Hefner, he purchased himself a jet - a big jet.
On January 27, 1969, the McDonnell Douglas company finished production on a DC-9-32, and one month later, Hugh Hefner took delivery of N950PB, nicknamed "the Big Bunny".
This was no normal jet - despite the wild 60's, not many business owners had the creativity - or the money to invest in their own flying home away from home.
Shower, private entry and a movie theater
Even by today's private jet standards, N950PB was a very luxurious jetliner. A rear folding private entrance took Hefner directly to his private quarters with an elliptical bed. After a long flight, he could take a shower or get some work done in his conference room.
Passengers were also treated well!
Fellow passengers could relax in the bar or enjoy a movie on the big screen. Once everyone was in the mood, they could even dance in the "discotheque" complete with lights and an 8-Track deck.
Indeed - the DC-9-32 really was a bit of Playboy in the skies. The only thing missing was a swimming pool and bowling alley.
Hugh Hefner never made a secret about his love of beautiful women- and admitted that his many, many mile high club endeavors were just like they are on the ground - albeit with "better memories".
N950PB's flight crew members were obviously selected for their looks - but these were real professionals. The Jet Bunnies were all trained at Continental Airlines in LA where they'd learn inflight safety and food preparation.
From party plane to retirement
Originally, his plane was based at Purdue and was maintained by the aviation department of the University. Sadly, things started to go downhill for the magazine in the mid 70's, so the party plane was sold to Venezuela Airlines and reborn as "YV-19C". She then spent several years in storage.
In 1989, Aeromexico renamed her "Ciduad Juarez", repainted her and used her for domestic Mexican routes. The era of The Big Bunny came to an end in 2004 when she was finally retired for good.
[Photos from: Playboy.com]
Even by today's private jet standards, N950PB was a very luxurious jetliner. A rear folding private entrance took Hefner directly to his private quarters with an elliptical bed. After a long flight, he could take a shower or get some work done in his conference room.
Passengers were also treated well!
Fellow passengers could relax in the bar or enjoy a movie on the big screen. Once everyone was in the mood, they could even dance in the "discotheque" complete with lights and an 8-Track deck.
Indeed - the DC-9-32 really was a bit of Playboy in the skies. The only thing missing was a swimming pool and bowling alley.
Hugh Hefner never made a secret about his love of beautiful women- and admitted that his many, many mile high club endeavors were just like they are on the ground - albeit with "better memories".
N950PB's flight crew members were obviously selected for their looks - but these were real professionals. The Jet Bunnies were all trained at Continental Airlines in LA where they'd learn inflight safety and food preparation.
From party plane to retirement
Originally, his plane was based at Purdue and was maintained by the aviation department of the University. Sadly, things started to go downhill for the magazine in the mid 70's, so the party plane was sold to Venezuela Airlines and reborn as "YV-19C". She then spent several years in storage.
In 1989, Aeromexico renamed her "Ciduad Juarez", repainted her and used her for domestic Mexican routes. The era of The Big Bunny came to an end in 2004 when she was finally retired for good.
[Photos from: Playboy.com]
Filed under: History, Business, North America, Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 5)
ginnelle Mar 2nd 2011 8:23PM
Does anyone really care what this slimeball's jet looks like. For all I care, he can shove his jet up his horny old keester.
ddan8719 Mar 2nd 2011 8:56PM
Ahhh my playboy club key circa 1968..all metal as i remember..but it permitted me into the cincinnatti club at least once a month for steaks and lot's of smiles..looking back i think there appeared to be more respect for the women in your life also..seems as if some of the respect has not the magic it once had..But then again i am now much older...maybe it"s just me..
Keithp Mar 5th 2011 6:32PM
As a late 50's male, I framed my Playboy Key that I used at the Miami , Fla. club. The world is a lot different now. Respect for women and civility is gone.
Mickey Ryan Mar 2nd 2011 9:06PM
The article was wrong about who flew the Playboy DC-9. Ozark Airlines out of St. Louis flew the airplane for Playboy. I was a pilot for Southern Airways and saw the Black DC-9 Playboy airplane in St Louis many, many times. It was said that they had to put an extra air conditioning unit on the plane because it was black. The University may have flown it for a while but Ozark flew it mainly.
Eric Mar 2nd 2011 9:18PM
The Big Bunny also made several appearances at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport...it was maintained by Ozark Air Lines after its time based at Purdue. It often was parked in front of the Ozark hangar; Ozark flew a fair-sized fleet of DC-9s at the time. That hangar was later used by Trans World Airlines after they acquired Ozark in 1986; it's still in use today by American Airlines to maintain several of their MD-80s.
jgscott Mar 2nd 2011 9:10PM
OK I am going to defend Hef which has gotten me into lots of fights with women over the years but I know what the true story is. The bunnies were well treated, one of my longtime girlfriends (not the jet bunny) had lived at the Chicago mansion, the playmates were allowed to turn tricks but they kept the money, Victor handled this not Hef, the playmates did not have to sleep with the high rollers, it was their choice, but many of them made a lot of money, some went to college, some turned into junkies just like real life. All in all the girls who worked for playboy remember it as the best time in their life, all the peopele who think Hef is a sleazeball did not know him and do not have any perspective on that time and place.
Kareem Mar 2nd 2011 9:10PM
That's a nice plane. Hef has great taste in everything. I just wish he would used more women who are all natural instead of women with fake boobs.
Janine Mar 2nd 2011 9:49PM
Like him or not,The guy has style & knows how to live. He's had a very fortunate & interesting life. Would have been nice if he had been more philanthropic with his wealth & shared with those less fortunate than himself. when you've been blessed, share your blessings.
Eric Mar 2nd 2011 9:12PM
I dunno about the jet but I sure hope they are putting more chlorine in the pools at the mansion !
Jeff Mar 2nd 2011 9:28PM
Now thats a man cave!
Fred Mar 2nd 2011 9:31PM
I don't really like Playboy and what it stands for. Unfortunatlly, he's considered tame to what's on the internet. I really wish Hef was the biggest Devil out there but really he's an Imp in a bathrobe now. How about that "Girls Gone Wild Guy"? I've seen more porn on his infomercials then what's in Playboy now!
Playboy is washed up. It will die when Hef does. They can burry hi in his plane for all I care. I just don't think you can blaim him for all the garbage out there now....
Garone Mar 2nd 2011 10:30PM
You looked forward to his publications, and the lifestyle? Well, that too gave you something to aspire to. Playboy hightened a fixation on attractive women. The chase was on. Nowadays we seem to have lost that focus.
ANG Mar 2nd 2011 9:55PM
THAT LADY CAN SUGAR COAT THE WHOLE LUST AND PORN THING ALL SHE WANTS , BOTTOM LINE THSI GUY AND ALL THE GOLD DIGGIN HOES , ARE JUST AS KINKY AND SHALLOW AS THE PEOPLE WHO WHACK OFF TO THOSE MAGAZINES , WE ALL ARE HUMAN AND WHATEVER U WANNA CALL IT , IT STILL SIN IN GODS EYES
candy Mar 2nd 2011 10:12PM
The only reason most of those chicks liked him was for money. If the dude worked and McDonald's and didn't have a dime, you think all those girls would care? What's the sense in having all that money when you're not really loved? I thinks is really phony to live like that. They make it out to be so great when in reality you strip him of all his money and the mag. and what do you got? All the chicks split and so do the friends. Whatever is left is who really loves him.
Suzi Mar 2nd 2011 10:24PM
I remember those days as a student at Purdue when the Playboy jet was kept there. For a rather conservative campus, it was an amusing sight.
Jesus: Lover of Your Soul Mar 2nd 2011 10:24PM
I thought the fashions back in the '60s were pretty wild to watch. After watching the video this Scripture kept coming to mind:
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
Denny Mar 2nd 2011 10:31PM
Hefner was probably most responsible for the sexual revolution. Playboy itself wasn't only a magazine or a club, it was a lifestyle that focused on more than sex and bunnies. It was clothes, electronics, music cars and many other things that make up society. My original Club Key was made of aluminum. They had to change it when the put metal detectors in airports to minimize the number of flights to Cuba...I wish I still had my metal one....it would probably be worth something.
Augie Mar 2nd 2011 10:34PM
People that wish cancer on anyone should themselves get it. I've been a playboy reader and subscriber for many years. I've always admired Hef. May he live to be one hundred and one and enjoy life until the day he dies.
Timmay! Mar 2nd 2011 10:40PM
That film was funny as hell. The 8 track and the giant ass tape machine. it was dead on sexual revolution time and an interesting time to be young. Playboy was always a very liberal magazine but I can't remember a single guy bitching about it.
TERRY Mar 2nd 2011 10:52PM
HEFNER GETS AROUND NOW WITH A SHOPPING CART , BUT THANKS FOR THE GIRLS I WOULD HAVE NEVER HAD.