ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to commence seasonal nonstop services linking Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg beginning December 17, 2026. This route will operate four times weekly until March 21, 2027, connecting Zayed International Airport with Gothenburg Landvetter Airport during the winter season. It represents the first direct air route between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates and provides western Sweden with a nonstop option to the UAE capital.
This new Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg connection will enable passengers to access Etihad’s broader network through its hub. Travelers can reach destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, with options including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. The route also offers direct seasonal flights for those traveling in the opposite direction, linking Gothenburg and western Sweden with the UAE. Bookings for the route became available following the airline’s announcement in August 2026.
For the Gothenburg service, Etihad plans to utilize an Airbus A321LR configured with 160 seats. The aircraft features two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. Both First and Business cabins have fully flat beds and offer direct aisle access, while Economy seats are equipped with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems and high-speed Wi-Fi available throughout all cabins. This configuration extends Etihad’s three-cabin product to its four-weekly service between the UAE and Sweden.
Gothenburg secures its first direct flight connection with the UAE
Swedavia, the operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed that the service will begin in December with a schedule of four flights each week. The company highlighted that this route marks Gothenburg’s debut direct link with the UAE. Swedavia CEO Mats Johannesson also emphasized enhanced connectivity with regions including the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Serving Sweden’s second-largest city and surrounding western areas, Göteborg Landvetter Airport is a key hub for industry, research, commerce, and international business along Sweden’s west coast.
The schedule allows travelers arriving in Abu Dhabi to connect to Etihad’s extensive network. Those eligible can also take advantage of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which provides hotel accommodations of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For passengers originating in western Sweden, the route offers direct access to Abu Dhabi without needing a European connection. The service will operate seasonally during the 2026-2027 winter timetable, as announced.
Four weekly flights will be operated by Airbus A321LR
Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves underscored the significance of the Airbus A321LR when announcing Gothenburg as a new destination. He also highlighted the city’s industrial and research strengths. The airline has designated Gothenburg as its 15th new destination launch in 2026. The aircraft enables Etihad to provide First, Business, and Economy cabins on this route, which is scheduled for four flights per week from December until the final service in March.
The last flight under this seasonal program is planned for March 21, 2027. Until then, the route will offer scheduled nonstop flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg throughout the winter period. Passengers can utilize these flights for travel between the two cities or for connections through the UAE capital. The airline continues to list the Airbus A321LR for this service, maintaining the original launch date, four-weekly frequency, aircraft type, and seasonal schedule as announced in August 2026.