Boeing 80

Boeing · United States · first flew 1928 · airliner

The Boeing 80 was the first Boeing aircraft designed expressly to carry passengers rather than mail or cargo, a trimotor biplane airliner that introduced air stewardesses to American aviation when operated by Boeing Air Transport. Note: the provided wingspanM of 80 is clearly corrupt (possibly wingspan in feet); corrected to approximately 24.38 m (80 ft).

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, straight
E — Engines	3 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	17.22 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

1920s American trimotor biplane airliner
First Boeing aircraft designed specifically for passengers
Pratt & Whitney Wasp engines in three-engine layout

A large two-bay biplane with three radial engines (one on the nose, one under each wing), a large boxy fuselage for the era, and the characteristic inter-war biplane airliner stance.

Specifications

The Boeing 80 has a length of 17.22 m (56 ft).
It has a wingspan of 24.38 m (80 ft).
Its maximum speed is 222 km/h (138 mph).
Typical crew: 2 + stewardess, 12–18 passengers.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Entering service in 1928, the Boeing 80 and its 80A variant introduced registered nurse stewardesses on United Air Lines routes — the first time cabin crew were employed on a US airline. It served transcontinental routes until displaced by faster monoplanes in the 1930s.

Variants

The Model 80A was the main variant with more powerful Pratt & Whitney Hornet engines and seating for 18 passengers; the 80A-1 introduced further refinements.

Where you'll see it

Operated by Boeing Air Transport (later United Air Lines) on US transcontinental routes from 1928 to the mid-1930s.

Related aircraft

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