ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways will commence seasonal nonstop flights between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026. The airline plans to operate this route four times weekly until March 21, 2027. During the winter schedule, flights will connect Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport. This marks the inaugural direct air link between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates and offers western Swedish travelers a nonstop route to the UAE capital.
Connecting passengers through its hub, Etihad’s new Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg service links to its broader network, enabling travel to destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. The airline lists Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo as available connections. On the return leg, travelers will have direct seasonal access to Gothenburg and western Sweden. Ticket sales began following the route announcement in August 2026.
The Gothenburg route will be operated using an Airbus A321LR with a capacity of 160 seats. The aircraft features two First Suites, 14 Business class seats, and 144 Economy seats. Both First and Business cabins include fully flat beds and direct aisle access. Economy seats are equipped with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, and high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the aircraft. This configuration extends the airline’s three-cabin service to the four weekly flights connecting the UAE and Sweden.
Gothenburg secures its first direct connection to the UAE
Swedavia, the operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed that the service will launch in December with four flights each week. The company emphasized that this marks Gothenburg’s first direct link with the UAE. Swedavia CEO Mats Johannesson also highlighted the enhancement of connections to the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. The airport serves Sweden’s second-largest city and the surrounding western region. Gothenburg 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 access onward flights across Etihad’s extensive 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 beginning their journey in western Sweden, the route provides a direct link to Abu Dhabi without needing a European connection. The service will remain seasonal during the winter operating period announced for 2026-2027.
Airbus A321LR to serve the four weekly flights
When announcing Gothenburg as a new destination, Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves highlighted the Airbus A321LR aircraft, noting the city’s industrial and research sectors. The airline considers Gothenburg its 15th new destination launched in 2026. The aircraft enables the carrier to offer First, Business, and Economy cabins on this route. The airline has scheduled the service for four days each week from December through the last flight in March.
The final scheduled flight under the seasonal timetable is set for March 21, 2027. Until then, the route will provide direct scheduled flights between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg throughout the winter period. Passengers can use these flights for travel between the two cities or as connections through the UAE capital. Etihad continues to list the Airbus A321LR for this route, with the launch date, four flights per week, aircraft type, and seasonal operation remaining exactly as announced in August 2026.