Unlike the Fokker F.VII and Ford Trimotors operated by other airlines, the Model 80 was a biplane, chosen to give good takeoff and landing performance when operating from difficult airfields on its routes, many of which were at relatively high altitude.
A diferenza do Fokker F.VII e do Ford Trimotor operados por outras aeroliñas, o Model 80 era un biplano, elección feita para ter mellores actuacións nas engalaxes e aterraxes cando operaba en aeródromos complicados das súas rutas, moitos deles a altitudes relativamente grandes.