ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to begin seasonal nonstop services connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026. The route will operate four times weekly until March 21, 2027. During the winter months, flights will connect Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport. This service represents the first direct air link between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates, providing western Sweden travelers with a nonstop route to the UAE capital.
The newly launched Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route will serve as a gateway to Etihad’s extensive global network via its home hub. Passengers will be able to reach destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. The airline includes Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo among the available onward connections. Travelers heading in the opposite direction will enjoy direct seasonal flights to Gothenburg and western Sweden. Bookings for the route opened when the airline announced it in August 2026.
An Airbus A321LR with a capacity of 160 seats will operate the Gothenburg route. The aircraft features two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. Both First and Business cabins convert into fully flat beds and offer direct aisle access. Economy seats come equipped with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, and all cabins have access to high-speed Wi-Fi. This configuration allows Etihad to expand its three-cabin product to the four weekly flights between the UAE and Sweden.
First direct UAE air connection to Gothenburg established
Swedavia, which manages Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the route’s December launch and its four flights per week schedule. The company emphasized that this marks Gothenburg’s first direct connection to the UAE. Swedavia CEO Mats Johannesson highlighted the enhanced links with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. The airport serves Sweden’s second-largest city and the surrounding western region, which is a hub for industry, research, commerce, and international business along Sweden’s west coast.
The route offers passengers arriving in Abu Dhabi access to Etihad’s extensive network of flights. Eligible travelers can also take advantage of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which provides qualifying passengers with hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For those starting from western Sweden, the route delivers direct access to Abu Dhabi without needing a European connection. The service will continue to operate seasonally throughout the winter timetable announced for 2026-2027.
Etihad’s Airbus A321LR to serve the four weekly flights
Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves emphasized the Airbus A321LR during the announcement of Gothenburg as a new destination, citing the city’s strong industrial and research sectors. The airline has identified Gothenburg as its 15th new destination for 2026. The aircraft’s design enables Etihad to offer First, Business, and Economy cabins on this route. The airline has scheduled the service to operate four days a week from the route’s December start through its final scheduled flight in March.
The last flight in the seasonal program is planned for March 21, 2027. Until then, the route will provide scheduled direct flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg throughout the winter season. Travelers can use these flights for journeys between the two cities or for connections through the UAE capital. The Airbus A321LR remains listed as the aircraft type for this service, with its launch date, four-weekly frequency, and seasonal operation unchanged from the initial August 2026 announcement.