ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways will introduce a seasonal nonstop route connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026. The flight service will operate four times weekly until March 21, 2027, linking Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport during the winter season. This new route establishes a direct connection between the UAE capital and Sweden’s second-largest city. Tickets are currently available through the airline’s booking channels.
The Gothenburg route marks the first direct air link between western Sweden and the United Arab Emirates. Etihad describes it as Gothenburg’s inaugural nonstop route to the Middle East and Asia. Passengers can connect via Abu Dhabi to destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. It also offers UAE travelers direct access to western Sweden.
The airline will operate the flights using an Airbus A321LR, accommodating up to 160 travelers. The aircraft features two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. First and Business cabins convert into fully flat beds with direct aisle access, while Economy passengers enjoy 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems. The aircraft is equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi throughout, allowing Etihad to offer three cabin classes on this route.
Enhanced international connectivity for Gothenburg
The new schedule grants passengers access to Abu Dhabi’s extensive connecting network. Eligible travelers can also benefit from the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which provides hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For those in Gothenburg, the route reduces the need for additional connections within Europe before reaching Abu Dhabi, offering a direct seasonal option for travel between western Sweden and the UAE.
Swedavia, the operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the four weekly flights and December launch. The airport authority regards this as Gothenburg’s first direct link with the UAE, with Mats Johannesson, Swedavia’s CEO, also highlighting improved connections to the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Gothenburg, a key hub for industry, research, and commerce along Sweden’s west coast, serves both the city and the broader western Swedish region.
The Airbus A321LR introduces three-cabin service to Sweden’s west coast
Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves emphasized the A321LR’s three-cabin layout during the route announcement, pointing out Gothenburg’s industrial and research significance. The airline considers Gothenburg its 15th new destination for 2026. The seasonal flights will run during the winter period four days a week, with the final scheduled operation on March 21, 2027, as per the timetable issued alongside the route announcement.
This Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route adds another nonstop option to Etihad’s network from its hub. It also establishes the first scheduled direct service from Gothenburg to Abu Dhabi, offering both point-to-point travel and connections through the UAE capital. The airline continues to operate the Airbus A321LR with First, Business, and Economy cabins, with the launch date, frequency, and seasonal schedule unchanged from the August 2026 announcement.