ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways plans to start seasonal nonstop services linking Abu Dhabi with Gothenburg beginning December 17, 2026. The route will operate four times weekly until March 21, 2027. During the winter season, flights will connect Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport. This marks the first direct air link between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates, providing western Sweden travelers a nonstop option to the UAE capital.
Connecting passengers to Etihad’s extensive network through its hub, the new Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route offers onward flights to destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. The airline includes Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo among its connections. Those traveling in the opposite direction will benefit from direct seasonal access to Gothenburg and western Sweden. Ticket sales commenced with the announcement of this route in August 2026.
An Airbus A321LR with a capacity of 160 seats will be employed on this route. The aircraft features two First Suites, 14 Business class seats, and 144 Economy seats. The First and Business cabins can be converted into fully flat beds and provide direct aisle access. Economy passengers will enjoy 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, complemented by high-speed Wi-Fi available throughout all cabins. This configuration extends the airline’s three-cabin service to the four weekly flights connecting the UAE with Sweden during the winter season.
Gothenburg welcomes its first direct flight from the UAE
Swedavia, the operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed that the service will launch in December with a schedule of four flights per week. The company highlighted that this route establishes Gothenburg’s first direct connection with the UAE. Swedavia’s CEO, Mats Johannesson, also emphasized improved links with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Göteborg Landvetter Airport serves Sweden’s second-largest city and its western region. Gothenburg is recognized as a significant hub for industry, research, commerce, and international business along Sweden’s west coast.
The schedule enables arriving passengers in Abu Dhabi to access Etihad’s broader network easily. Eligible travelers can also take advantage of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For passengers originating from western Sweden, the route provides direct access to Abu Dhabi without the need for European connections. This service will remain seasonal as per the timetable announced for the 2026-2027 winter operating period.
The Airbus A321LR will operate the seasonal four-flights-per-week service
Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad’s Chief Executive, underscored the significance of the Airbus A321LR during the announcement of Gothenburg as a new destination. He also highlighted Gothenburg’s strong industrial and research sectors. The airline lists Gothenburg as its 15th new destination launch of 2026. The aircraft’s configuration allows Etihad to offer First, Business, and Economy cabins on this route. The airline has scheduled the service for four days each week from its December launch until the final flight in March.
The last scheduled flight under this seasonal service is set for March 21, 2027. Until then, flights will provide direct scheduled connections between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg during the winter period. Passengers can use these flights for travel between the two cities or for connections through the UAE capital. Etihad continues to list the Airbus A321LR as the aircraft for this route. All details—including the launch date, four-weekly frequency, aircraft type, and seasonal operation—remain consistent with the original August 2026 announcement.