ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways will commence seasonal nonstop services between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg starting on December 17, 2026. The route is scheduled to operate four times a week until March 21, 2027. During the winter period, flights will connect Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport. This marks the first direct air link between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates, offering western Sweden travelers a nonstop option to the UAE capital.
The new route from Abu Dhabi to Gothenburg will connect passengers to Etihad’s extensive network via its main hub. Travelers can access destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. The airline lists Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo among its available connections. Conversely, passengers heading in the opposite direction will enjoy seasonal direct access to Gothenburg and western Sweden. Ticket sales began when the airline announced this route in August 2026.
For the Gothenburg service, Etihad plans to operate an Airbus A321LR equipped with 160 seats. The aircraft features two First Suites, 14 Business class seats, and 144 Economy seats. The First and Business class seats convert into fully flat beds and offer direct aisle access. Economy seats are fitted with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, complemented by high-speed Wi-Fi available throughout all cabins. This configuration expands Etihad’s three-cabin service to the four-weekly flights connecting the UAE and Sweden.
Gothenburg welcomes its first direct flight connection with the UAE
Swedavia, the operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the route’s December start and its schedule of four flights per week. The company highlighted that this route establishes Gothenburg’s first direct connection to the UAE. Swedavia CEO Mats Johannesson also emphasized the enhancement of links with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Göteborg Landvetter Airport serves Sweden’s second-largest city and the surrounding western region. Gothenburg is a key hub for industry, research, commerce, and international business on Sweden’s west coast.
The schedule allows arriving passengers in Abu Dhabi to connect seamlessly with Etihad’s extensive network. Eligible travelers can also take advantage of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For those starting their journey in western Sweden, the route provides direct access to Abu Dhabi without a European layover. The service will operate seasonally as per the timetable for the 2026-2027 winter season.
Aircraft Choice: Airbus A321LR for the Four-Weekly Flights
Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves pointed to the Airbus A321LR when announcing Gothenburg as a new destination, citing the city’s industrial and research strength. The airline considers Gothenburg its 15th new destination launch of 2026. The aircraft’s configuration enables Etihad to offer First, Business, and Economy cabins on this route. The airline has scheduled the service to operate four days each week from its December launch through the last flight in March.
The final scheduled flight within the seasonal plan is set for March 21, 2027. Until then, the route will provide direct scheduled services between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg throughout the winter schedule. Travelers can use these flights for direct journeys or as connections through the UAE capital. Etihad maintains the Airbus A321LR as the aircraft type for this route, with the launch date, four-weekly frequency, aircraft model, and seasonal operation remaining exactly as announced in August 2026.