ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways will commence seasonal nonstop services linking Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg beginning December 17, 2026. The flights are scheduled to operate four times weekly until March 21, 2027. During the winter period, flights will connect Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport. This service marks the inaugural direct air route between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates and offers western Sweden travelers a nonstop connection to the UAE capital.
Connecting passengers to Etihad’s broader network via its Abu Dhabi hub, the new route provides onward options to destinations in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. The airline includes Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo among its listed connection points. Those traveling in the opposite direction will gain direct seasonal access to Gothenburg and western Sweden. Ticket sales began when the airline announced the route in August 2026.
The Gothenburg route will be operated using an Airbus A321LR, configured with 160 seats. The aircraft features two First Suites, 14 Business class seats, and 144 Economy seats. First and Business class seats convert into fully flat beds and offer direct aisle access, while Economy seats come with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems. High-speed Wi-Fi will be available across all cabins. This configuration expands Etihad’s three-cabin offering to its four-weekly service between the UAE and Sweden.
Gothenburg secures its first direct flight link to the UAE
Swedavia, the operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed that the service will launch in December with a schedule of four flights each week. The company emphasized that this marks Gothenburg’s first direct connection with the UAE. Swedavia CEO Mats Johannesson also highlighted the route’s enhancement of links with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Serving Sweden’s second largest city and the surrounding western region, Göteborg Landvetter Airport is a key hub for industry, research, commerce, and international business on Sweden’s west coast.
The new schedule facilitates onward flights from Abu Dhabi across Etihad’s network. Eligible passengers can also take advantage of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers qualifying travelers hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For travelers originating in western Sweden, the route provides a direct journey to Abu Dhabi without the need for a European flight connection. The service will operate seasonally during the winter timetable announced for 2026-2027.
Airbus A321LR to serve the four-weekly route
Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves highlighted the Airbus A321LR when announcing Gothenburg as a new destination, emphasizing the city’s industrial and research strengths. The airline has identified Gothenburg as its 15th new destination launch of 2026. The aircraft enables Etihad to provide First, Business, and Economy cabins on the route. The airline scheduled the service for four days each week from its December start through the final operation in March.
The last flight scheduled under this seasonal program is on March 21, 2027. Until then, the route will offer direct scheduled flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg throughout the winter season. Passengers can utilize these flights for travel between the two cities or for connections via the UAE capital. The airline continues to list the Airbus A321LR as its aircraft for this service. The launch date, four-weekly frequency, aircraft type, and seasonal schedule remain exactly as announced in August 2026.