ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways will commence seasonal nonstop services linking Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg starting on December 17, 2026. Operating four times weekly until March 21, 2027, these flights will connect 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, offering western Sweden travelers a nonstop link to the UAE capital.
The new Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route will integrate passengers into Etihad’s extensive network via its main hub. From there, travelers can reach destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. The airline lists Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo as available connection points. Those traveling in the reverse direction will gain seasonal direct access to Gothenburg and western Sweden. Ticket sales began when the airline announced the route in August 2026.
Etihad intends to operate the Gothenburg service using an Airbus A321LR with a capacity of 160 seats. The aircraft features two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. The First and Business cabins convert into fully flat beds and offer direct aisle access. Economy class is equipped with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, and high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the aircraft. This configuration allows Etihad to expand its three-cabin product to the four-flight-per-week service between the UAE and Sweden.
Gothenburg Attains Its First Direct UAE Air Link
Swedavia, which manages Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed that the route will launch in December with a schedule of four flights each week. The company emphasized that this is Gothenburg’s inaugural direct connection with the UAE. Swedavia’s Chief Executive, Mats Johannesson, also highlighted the enhanced connectivity with Middle Eastern, Indian, and Southeast Asian markets. Göteborg Landvetter Airport serves Sweden’s second-largest city and the surrounding western region, which is a hub for industry, research, commerce, and international business on Sweden’s west coast.
The schedule allows travelers arriving in Abu Dhabi to access onward flights across Etihad’s extensive network. Qualified connecting passengers can also participate in the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, offering hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For passengers originating in western Sweden, the route offers a direct connection to Abu Dhabi without the need for a European layover. The service will remain seasonal according to the timetable announced for the 2026-2027 winter operating period.
Four Weekly Flights on Airbus A321LR to Serve Gothenburg Route
Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves highlighted the Airbus A321LR when announcing Gothenburg as a new destination, citing the city’s strong industrial and research sectors. The airline has designated Gothenburg as its 15th new destination launch in 2026. The aircraft permits Etihad to operate the route with First, Business, and Economy cabins. The airline scheduled the flights for four days each week from the route’s December launch through the final scheduled flight in March.
The last scheduled flight under this seasonal program is set for March 21, 2027. Until then, the route will offer direct scheduled service between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg during the winter season. Passengers can choose these flights for travel between the two cities or for connections through the UAE capital. Etihad maintains the Airbus A321LR as its aircraft of choice for this route. All details—launch date, four-weekly frequency, aircraft type, and seasonal operation—remain consistent with the initial announcement in August 2026.