ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to introduce seasonal nonstop flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg beginning December 17, 2026. Operating four times weekly until March 21, 2027, this route will link Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport during the winter months. This service marks the inaugural direct air link between Gothenburg and the UAE, providing western Sweden travelers with a nonstop option to the UAE capital.
The newly launched Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route offers passengers access to Etihad’s extensive network via its Abu Dhabi hub. Travelers can connect to destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. Those traveling in the opposite direction will benefit from direct seasonal flights to Gothenburg and western Sweden. Ticket sales commenced following the route announcement in August 2026.
For the Gothenburg route, Etihad plans to deploy an Airbus A321LR aircraft with 160 seats. The aircraft configuration includes two First Suites, 14 Business class seats, and 144 Economy seats. Passengers in First and Business classes can enjoy fully flat beds with direct aisle access, while Economy seats are equipped with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems. High-speed Wi-Fi will be available across all cabins. This configuration allows Etihad to operate its three-cabin product on the four-weekly service between the UAE and Sweden.
Gothenburg secures its first direct connection to the UAE
Swedavia, the operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the route’s launch in December, with a schedule of four flights per week. The company emphasized that this marks Gothenburg’s first direct link to the UAE. Swedavia CEO Mats Johannesson highlighted the improved connectivity with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Serving Sweden’s second-largest city and surrounding western regions, Göteborg Landvetter Airport is a major hub for industry, research, commerce, and international business along Sweden’s west coast.
The flight schedule provides arriving passengers in Abu Dhabi with onward options across Etihad’s extensive network. Eligible travelers can also participate in the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers qualifying guests hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For those beginning their journey in western Sweden, the route offers direct access to Abu Dhabi without a European flight connection. This seasonal service will operate during the 2026-2027 winter timetable as announced.
Etihad will operate the route using Airbus A321LR aircraft
Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves emphasized the use of the Airbus A321LR when announcing Gothenburg as a new destination, citing the city’s industrial and research sectors. The airline considers Gothenburg its 15th new destination launch in 2026. The aircraft enables Etihad to provide First, Business, and Economy cabins on this route. The airline has scheduled the service for four days each week, beginning in December and running until the final flight in March.
The seasonal program’s last scheduled flight is set for March 21, 2027. Until then, the route will operate regularly, offering direct scheduled flights between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg for the entire winter period. Passengers may use these flights for travel between the two cities or for connections via the UAE capital. The airline continues to specify the Airbus A321LR for this service, with the launch date, four-weekly frequency, aircraft type, and seasonal operation remaining consistent with the August 2026 announcement.