ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to introduce seasonal nonstop flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026. The service will operate four times weekly until March 21, 2027, linking Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport during the winter season. This marks the first direct air route between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates and offers western Sweden travelers a nonstop option to the UAE capital.
Connecting passengers to Etihad’s broader network through its hub, the new Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route will facilitate onward journeys to destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. Among the available connections are Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. Travelers heading in the opposite direction will gain direct seasonal access to Gothenburg and western Sweden. Ticket sales began when the airline announced the route in August 2026.
An Airbus A321LR with 160 seats is planned for the Gothenburg route, featuring two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. The First and Business cabins can be converted into fully flat beds and provide direct aisle access, while Economy seats come equipped with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems. The aircraft also offers high-speed Wi-Fi in all cabins. This configuration extends Etihad’s three-cabin product to the four-weekly service between the UAE and Sweden.
First direct UAE connection to Gothenburg
Swedavia, the operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the route’s launch in December, with a schedule of four flights each week. The company emphasized that this marks Gothenburg’s inaugural direct link with the UAE. Swedavia CEO Mats Johannesson highlighted the improved connectivity with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Serving Sweden’s second-largest city and its western region, Göteborg Landvetter Airport is a hub for industry, research, commerce, and international business on Sweden’s west coast.
The schedule enables travelers arriving in Abu Dhabi to connect to Etihad’s extensive network. Eligible passengers can also utilize the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For those beginning their journey in western Sweden, the route provides direct access to Abu Dhabi without the need for European connections. The service will operate seasonally during the 2026-2027 winter timetable, as announced.
Four-times-weekly Airbus A321LR service
Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves highlighted the Airbus A321LR when unveiling Gothenburg as a new destination, noting the city’s industrial and research significance. The airline considers this its 15th new destination launch of 2026. The aircraft allows Etihad to offer First, Business, and Economy cabins on this route. The airline scheduled the service to operate four days each week from the route’s December start until the final flight in March.
The last scheduled flight under this seasonal service is set for March 21, 2027. Until then, the route will provide direct, scheduled flights between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg throughout the winter period. Passengers can use these flights for travel between the two cities or for connections via the UAE capital. Etihad continues to specify the Airbus A321LR for this route, with the launch date, four-weekly frequency, aircraft type, and seasonal operation remaining as announced in August 2026.