ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to introduce seasonal nonstop flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg beginning December 17, 2026. Operating four times weekly until March 21, 2027, the route links Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport during the winter season. This marks the first direct air link between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates and provides western Swedish travelers with a nonstop connection to the UAE capital.
The new Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route allows passengers to connect to Etihad’s extensive global network via its hub. From there, travelers can reach destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. The route also offers direct seasonal access from Gothenburg and western Sweden in the opposite direction. Bookings commenced when the airline announced the route in August 2026.
Etihad plans to operate the route with an Airbus A321LR configured with 160 seats. The aircraft features two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. First and Business cabins convert into fully flat beds and have direct aisle access, while Economy seats are equipped with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems and high-speed Wi-Fi across all cabins. This configuration expands the airline’s three-cabin product to the four weekly flights between the UAE and Sweden.
First direct UAE flight connection to Gothenburg
Swedavia, which operates Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the route’s December launch and four flights per week. The company highlighted that this is Gothenburg’s inaugural direct link with the UAE. Swedavia CEO Mats Johannesson also emphasized the enhanced connectivity with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Göteborg Landvetter Airport serves Sweden’s second-largest city and its western region, a hub for industry, research, commerce, and international business on the country’s west coast.
The schedule offers arriving passengers in Abu Dhabi access to further flights within Etihad’s network. Eligible travelers can also participate in the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which provides hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For passengers originating in western Sweden, the route provides a direct connection to Abu Dhabi without the need for additional European flights. The service will operate seasonally as per the timetable for the 2026-2027 winter period.
Operational details of the Airbus A321LR on the Gothenburg route
Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves highlighted the Airbus A321LR when announcing Gothenburg as a new destination, noting the city’s industrial and research significance. The airline lists Gothenburg as its 15th new destination in 2026. The aircraft’s configuration enables Etihad to offer First, Business, and Economy cabins on this route. The airline has scheduled flights four days a week from December through March, with the final seasonal flight set for March 21, 2027. Until then, the service provides direct scheduled flights between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg during the winter season. Travelers can use these flights for travel between the two cities or as connections through Abu Dhabi. The airline continues to operate the Airbus A321LR on this route, with the launch date, four-weekly schedule, aircraft type, and seasonal window remaining exactly as announced in August 2026.