The fuselage was of fabric covered steel and aluminium tube construction, and carried its 12 passengers in three-abreast seating in a well-appointed cabin.

The wings were of fabric covered steel and duralumin construction, with detachable wingtips to aid storage in hangars.

[7][8] The Model 80 carried out its first scheduled mail and passenger service for Boeing Air Transport on September 20, 1928,[4] and soon proved successful.

[9] In May 1930, Boeing Air Transport introduced female flight attendants, hiring eight including chief stewardess Ellen Church; all were unmarried registered nurses.

[9] A single Model 80A-1, modified as a freighter for use in Alaska, was salvaged from a dump at Anchorage Airport in 1960, and following restoration is now on display at the Museum of Flight in Seattle.