ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is scheduled to begin seasonal nonstop flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026. The route will operate four times weekly until March 21, 2027. During the winter season, flights will link Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport. This service marks the first direct air link between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates and offers travelers from western Sweden a nonstop connection to the UAE capital.
The new Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route will connect passengers to Etihad’s broader network via its hub. Travelers will have the option to continue to destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. Among the available connections listed by the airline are Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. Those traveling in the opposite direction will gain seasonal direct access to Gothenburg and western Sweden. Bookings for the route opened when the airline announced it in August 2026.
The Gothenburg service will be operated using an Airbus A321LR configured with 160 seats. The aircraft features two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. First and Business class seats convert into fully flat beds and include direct aisle access. Economy class passengers will enjoy 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, along with high-speed Wi-Fi across all cabins. This configuration expands Etihad’s three-cabin product offering to the four-weekly service between the UAE and Sweden.
First direct UAE connection to Gothenburg established
Swedavia, the operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the route’s December launch and its schedule of four flights each week. The company emphasized that this marks Gothenburg’s first direct air link with the UAE. Swedavia Chief Executive Mats Johannesson also highlighted the enhanced connectivity with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Göteborg Landvetter Airport serves Sweden’s second-largest city and the surrounding western region. Gothenburg is recognized as a hub for industry, research, commerce, and international business on Sweden’s west coast.
The schedule facilitates passengers arriving in Abu Dhabi with onward flights across Etihad’s extensive network. Eligible travelers can also take advantage of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers qualifying guests hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For those starting their journey in western Sweden, the route provides a direct link to Abu Dhabi without the need for a European connection. The service will remain seasonal according to the timetable announced for the 2026-2027 winter operating period.
Gothenburg’s route will be operated by Airbus A321LR
When Etihad announced Gothenburg as a new destination, Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves highlighted the significance of the Airbus A321LR aircraft. He also noted Gothenburg’s strong industrial and research foundation. The airline lists Gothenburg as its 15th new destination launch of 2026. The aircraft enables Etihad to offer First, Business, and Economy cabins on this route. The airline has scheduled the service to operate four days per week from December through the final flight in March.
The last scheduled flight under this seasonal operation is set for March 21, 2027. Until then, the route will provide direct scheduled flights between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg during the winter period. Passengers can use the service for travel between the two cities or for connecting flights through the UAE capital. Etihad maintains the Airbus A321LR as the aircraft for this route. The launch date, four-weekly flights, aircraft type, and seasonal schedule all remain as originally announced in August 2026.