ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to begin seasonal nonstop flights linking Abu Dhabi with Gothenburg on December 17, 2026. The route will operate four times per week until March 21, 2027. During the winter season, flights will connect Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport. This marks the first direct air link between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, it offers travelers in western Sweden a nonstop route to the UAE capital.
The new service between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg will connect passengers to Etihad’s broader network via its main hub. Passengers can extend their journey to destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. The airline includes cities such as Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo among the available connections. Travelers heading in the opposite direction will gain direct seasonal access to Gothenburg and western Sweden. Ticket sales commenced when the airline announced the route in August 2026.
For the Gothenburg route, Etihad plans to operate an Airbus A321LR with 160 seats. The aircraft features two First Suites, 14 Business class seats, and 144 Economy seats. The First and Business seats can be converted into fully flat beds and offer direct aisle access. Economy seats come equipped with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems. High-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout all cabins. This configuration allows Etihad to offer its three-cabin product across the four weekly flights between the UAE and Sweden.
Gothenburg First to Receive Direct UAE Flight Connection
Swedavia, the operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the launch in December along with the four-flight weekly schedule. The company stated that this route signifies Gothenburg’s first direct link to the UAE. Swedavia’s Chief Executive, Mats Johannesson, also emphasized the enhanced connectivity with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Göteborg Landvetter Airport serves Sweden’s second-largest city and its surrounding western region. Gothenburg is a key hub for industry, research, commerce, and international business along Sweden’s west coast.
The schedule will allow passengers arriving in Abu Dhabi to connect to Etihad’s extensive network. Eligible travelers can also take advantage of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program. This initiative provides qualifying passengers with hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For travelers originating from western Sweden, the route offers direct access to Abu Dhabi without the need for a European flight connection. The service will remain seasonal under the timetable announced for the 2026-2027 winter season.
Airbus A321LR to Operate the Four Weekly Flights to Gothenburg
Etihad’s CEO, Antonoaldo Neves, highlighted the Airbus A321LR when unveiling Gothenburg as a new destination. He also pointed out the city’s industrial and research strengths. The airline considers Gothenburg its 15th new destination launch of 2026. The aircraft allows Etihad to provide First, Business, and Economy cabins on the route. The airline scheduled the service to operate four days each week from December until March.
The final flight scheduled under the seasonal program will take place on March 21, 2027. Until then, the route will offer direct scheduled flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg during the winter period. These flights can be used for travel between the two cities or for connecting onward through the UAE capital. Etihad continues to list the Airbus A321LR as the aircraft for this service. The launch date, four-weekly frequency, aircraft type, and seasonal schedule remain exactly as announced in August 2026.