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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 4 of 5)
Toby Mar 2nd 2011 10:57PM
Thanks for the trip down mamory ooopps MEMORY lane.
Kai Mar 2nd 2011 11:09PM
This kind of thing is nothing to be proud of when achieved through such vulgar ways. Bravo, to every participant in the Playboy "Craze" for putting up such a splendid environment for the people around you and the ones to come. You're the reason people like Kei$ha was born, one woman who needs to be shot in the face or at least fall down a flight of stairs. Wonderful, truly wonderful.
You people, and you know who you are, make me sick.
Rvrgal Mar 2nd 2011 11:06PM
I was working for MDC (DAC) at the time this aircraft was built. I remember the night we moved it from the East to West ramp - the flood lights on the plane made it quite stunning.
nobody Mar 2nd 2011 11:17PM
second picture, bottom left. frequent flier gene siskel? wha!
HUGH Mar 2nd 2011 11:20PM
!!!!!!!! WINNING !!!!!!!
Shallo Mar 2nd 2011 11:55PM
...Call me a sucker for falling for his charm, he is the man! It's pretty amazing to build such an empire just from a love of women and their beauty. For all those people who think he is a dirty dog and think Playboy is porn...Get a Life!! I love the mag and have been a female subscriber for many years...and will be for years to come. Love the '69 technology.
lola Mar 2nd 2011 11:51PM
It's a swinging shindig!!!!
Lynne Mar 3rd 2011 12:30AM
My father was involved in financing for a Playboy Hotel that was going to be built in Puerto Rico in 1969 .Never did end up being built. He and my mother met Hugh Hefner and Barbi Benton. They said they were both very nice people. I still have his autograph on a picture that was taken of the whole group of them at dinner. Funny,my mother said to Barbi Benton what do you want him for he is so much older than you. She just laughed.
Bob Mar 3rd 2011 1:35AM
Oh man... That guy's life doesn't suck. The wackiest thing in the plane from a technology standpoint is the 'portable' 2-inch quadruplex videotape machine (most of which were the size of a refrigerator in 1969) that probably required as much maintenance as the DC-9's jet engines.
I remember seeing this thing parked on the ramp at the St. Louis airport when I was a kid. Me and my sixth-grade buddies talked for a week at school about what we thought went on inside the plane...
Thanks for posting this.
Bigbabe600 Mar 3rd 2011 1:42AM
I remember my very first Platboy arriving at my home. I was very happy. So my wife saw it and promptly threw it in the garbage. The sad part was my wife was beautiful enough to be in Play Boy. Today at 80 she still looks like she can still throw my Play Boy away......
Gia Mar 4th 2011 3:44PM
The sad part of your story is that you felt the need to buy Playboy even when having a gorgeous wife who loves you. Why would you hurt and disrespect her that way? She should be enough for you, not fantasizing about other women.
antfitz Mar 3rd 2011 3:36AM
I'm not sure how much of this story is true, because the bunny plane was located at the St. Louis airport for years! It was "docked" at the airport all through the 60's and I don't know how much before or after. It sat right along Hiway 70.
lessie Mar 3rd 2011 4:28AM
TAKES ME BACK 2 WHEN BEAVERS HAD HAIR, SEASONS IN THE SUN, & LUV 2 LUV U BABY...
Jay Mar 3rd 2011 4:43AM
Hef is a great man and I would love to meet him before he is gone one day, (not too soon I hope) all the idiots and fools in here who are dising him, either out of their own failed religeon, or their own pitiful small jealous minds are really the bad people in society? Hef exudes class and distinction and put females on a pedestal, what he accomplished from nothing was nothing less than fantastic! he will be remembered mostly as a great and good man, not as some on here want to cast him due to their petty, jealousy!
lynden Mar 3rd 2011 6:06AM
Lets face it....Hef is a perv...very creepy guy who made money off of being a creep. Ick!
Bill Mar 3rd 2011 6:34AM
WOW, it looked like an add for Playboy!! Hey who was that awesome lady going into the jet with Hugh? She's amazing!!! Isn't it great to have lots of money!
Clark Mar 3rd 2011 9:17AM
When Hef comes out of his "suite", before he starts the movie, she is with him and sits down in the chair to his right.
glenno Mar 5th 2011 12:35AM
Back when I flew for the airlines, Hefner used Ozark Pilots to fly his airplane. It just so happened, I flew Sonny and Cher that particular trip..Still have the pictures. As for the bunnies who were playing Stewardess, nothing to write home about. However the DC-9 was a great airplane.
Aviation Buff Mar 5th 2011 12:35PM
If memory serves me right "The Big Bunny" was the first jet allowed to be painted black. Hef had to fight a big battle with the FAA on this and won with some compromise.
John Mar 5th 2011 4:52PM
He needed to retire years ago.Why stay on ?