ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to commence seasonal nonstop services connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026. Operating four times weekly until March 21, 2027, these flights will link Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport during the winter period. This marks the first direct air link between Gothenburg and the UAE, providing western Sweden travelers with a nonstop route to Abu Dhabi.
The newly launched Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route will connect passengers with Etihad’s extensive network via its main hub. This allows travelers to reach destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. Among the available connections are Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. Those traveling in the opposite direction will have seasonal direct access to Gothenburg and western Sweden. Tickets went on sale following the route announcement in August 2026.
For the Gothenburg route, Etihad plans to deploy an Airbus A321LR aircraft configured with 160 seats. The aircraft features two First Suites, 14 Business class seats, and 144 Economy seats. Both First and Business class seats convert into fully flat beds and offer direct aisle access. Economy class passengers can enjoy 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, alongside high-speed Wi-Fi across all cabins. This configuration extends the airline’s three-cabin product to the four-weekly service connecting the UAE and Sweden.
Gothenburg secures its first direct UAE flight connection
Swedavia, the operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the route’s December start date along with the four-flights-per-week schedule. The company emphasized that this will be Gothenburg’s first direct connection with the UAE. Swedavia’s CEO Mats Johannesson also highlighted the enhanced links with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Serving Sweden’s second-largest city and surrounding western region, Göteborg Landvetter Airport is a key hub for industry, research, trade, and international business on Sweden’s west coast.
The schedule provides travelers arriving in Abu Dhabi with connections to Etihad’s broader network. Eligible passengers can also take advantage of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For those starting their journey in western Sweden, the route offers direct access to Abu Dhabi without needing a European flight connection. The service will operate seasonally as per the timetable announced for the 2026-2027 winter period.
Four-weekly flights will be operated by Airbus A321LR
Etihad’s CEO Antonoaldo Neves underscored the significance of the Airbus A321LR aircraft when announcing Gothenburg as a new destination, citing the city’s industrial and research capabilities. The airline has designated Gothenburg as its 15th new destination launch of 2026. The aircraft allows Etihad to offer First, Business, and Economy cabins on this route. The airline has scheduled the service to operate four times weekly from December through the final flight in March.
The last flight scheduled under this seasonal program is on March 21, 2027. Until then, the route will provide consistent direct service between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg throughout the winter period. Passengers can use these flights for travel between the two cities or for connections via the UAE capital. Etihad continues to operate the Airbus A321LR for this route, with the launch date, four-weekly schedule, aircraft type, and seasonal operation remaining exactly as announced in August 2026.