ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to launch a seasonal nonstop service connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026. The flight will operate four times weekly until March 21, 2027, linking Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport during the winter months. This new route creates a direct connection between the UAE capital and Sweden’s second-largest city. Tickets are currently available via the airline’s booking channels.
This addition marks the first direct air link between western Sweden and the United Arab Emirates. Etihad describes the route as Gothenburg’s inaugural nonstop connection to the Middle East and Asia, allowing travelers to connect through Abu Dhabi to destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. Key onward destinations include Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. For UAE travelers, the route provides a convenient direct route to western Sweden.
The airline will operate the flights using an Airbus A321LR, which accommodates up to 160 passengers. The aircraft’s cabin features two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. The First and Business cabins convert into fully flat beds with direct aisle access, while Economy passengers can enjoy 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems. The aircraft also offers high-speed Wi-Fi throughout, and its long-range narrow-body design enables Etihad to provide three cabin classes on the Gothenburg route.
Enhanced International Connectivity for Gothenburg
The new schedule facilitates access to Abu Dhabi’s extensive network, allowing passengers to make further connections. Eligible travelers can also take advantage of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers qualifying guests hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For those traveling from Gothenburg, this route eliminates the need to transfer aircraft elsewhere in Europe before reaching Abu Dhabi, providing a direct seasonal option between western Sweden and the UAE.
Swedavia, the operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed that the service will operate four times a week beginning in December. The airport authority considers this Gothenburg’s first direct link with the UAE. Swedavia’s CEO, Mats Johannesson, also pointed out the route’s significance in strengthening connections with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Gothenburg, a key hub for industry, research, and commerce on Sweden’s west coast, serves both the city itself and a broader regional market across western Sweden.
Three-Cabin A321LR Service Brings New Options to Sweden’s West Coast
Etihad’s CEO, Antonoaldo Neves, emphasized the aircraft’s three-cabin configuration when announcing the new route. He highlighted Gothenburg’s industrial and research strengths as key features of the destination. The airline lists Gothenburg as its 15th new destination for 2026. The seasonal service will operate during the announced winter period four days each week, with the final scheduled flight on March 21, 2027, according to the timetable shared at the route announcement.
The Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route adds another nonstop connection to Etihad’s global network from its hub. For Gothenburg, this marks the first scheduled direct access to Abu Dhabi, offering both point-to-point travel and onward connections through the UAE capital. The airline continues to operate the Airbus A321LR for this route, featuring First, Business, and Economy cabins. The launch date, frequency, and seasonal schedule are consistent with the details announced in August 2026.