In April 1975, as Saigon collapsed and North Vietnamese forces closed in, the United States and several humanitarian groups launched Operation Babylift, a massive evacuation effort to rescue thousands of Vietnamese infants and children from the chaos of the war’s final days.
The operation involved military aircraft, chartered civilian planes, and any available transport that could be mobilized quickly. In the middle of this frantic effort, an unlikely figure stepped forward: Hugh Hefner, founder of Playboy.
Hefner offered the use of his private DC‑9 jet, the 'Big Bunny', a luxury aircraft normally used for celebrity travel and promotional tours. His crew, including several Playboy flight attendants, volunteered to help care for the children during the long, stressful flights out of Vietnam.
The 'Big Bunny' became one of the civilian aircraft assisting in the evacuation, contributing to the rescue of more than 3,300 children who were flown to the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia.
While Operation Babylift remains controversial due to questions about documentation, consent, and the chaotic nature of wartime evacuations, the involvement of Hefner’s plane is a lesser‑known chapter that highlights how unconventional resources were pulled into service during the crisis.
For many of the children who survived the journey, the operation marked the beginning of new lives abroad. For Hefner, it became one of the rare moments where his brand often associated with glamour and controversy intersected with a major humanitarian effort.
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