ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to initiate seasonal nonstop flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg beginning December 17, 2026. The route will operate four times weekly until March 21, 2027. During the winter months, flights will link Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport. This marks the first direct air link between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates. It also provides travelers in western Sweden with a nonstop option to the UAE capital.
The new Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route connects passengers to Etihad’s broader network via its main hub. 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 connections. Those returning in the opposite direction will benefit from direct seasonal flights to Gothenburg and western Sweden. Ticket sales began when the airline announced the route in August 2026.
Etihad plans to operate the route with an Airbus A321LR, which has 160 seats. The aircraft features two First Suites, 14 Business class seats, and 144 Economy seats. First and Business cabins can be converted into fully flat beds and offer direct aisle access. Economy seats come equipped with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems. The aircraft also provides high-speed Wi-Fi in all cabins. This configuration expands the airline’s three-cabin product to the four weekly flights between the UAE and Sweden.
Gothenburg Gains Its First Direct UAE Flight
Swedavia, which operates Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the December launch and the four-flights-per-week schedule. The company stated that this route is Gothenburg’s first direct connection to the UAE. Swedavia CEO Mats Johannesson highlighted the improved links with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Göteborg Landvetter Airport serves Sweden’s second-largest city and the surrounding western region. Gothenburg is a major hub for industry, research, commerce, and international business on Sweden’s west coast.
The schedule allows travelers arriving in Abu Dhabi to connect to Etihad’s extensive network. Qualified passengers can also use the Abu Dhabi Stopover program. It offers hotel stays of up to two nights for eligible travelers in the UAE capital. For those starting in western Sweden, the route provides direct access to Abu Dhabi without needing a European connection. The service will remain seasonal during the winter timetable for 2026-2027.
Airbus A321LR Will Serve the Four-Weekly Service
Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves emphasized the Airbus A321LR when announcing Gothenburg as a new destination. He also mentioned the city’s industrial and research sectors. Gothenburg is listed as the airline’s 15th new destination for 2026. The aircraft enables Etihad to offer First, Business, and Economy cabins on this route. The airline plans to operate the service four days per week from its December launch through March.
The final scheduled flight under this seasonal program will be on March 21, 2027. Until then, the route will provide direct scheduled flights between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg during the winter period. Travelers can use these flights for direct journeys or for connections through the UAE capital. The airline continues to list the Airbus A321LR for this service. The launch date, four-weekly frequency, aircraft type, and seasonal schedule remain exactly as announced in August 2026.