ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways will introduce a seasonal nonstop route connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg beginning December 17, 2026. The airline plans to operate this service four times each week until March 21, 2027. The flights will link Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport during the winter travel season. This new route creates 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 will mark the first direct air link between western Sweden and the United Arab Emirates. According to Etihad, it also represents Gothenburg’s inaugural nonstop connection 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. Additionally, the route offers UAE travelers a direct flight option to western Sweden.
Etihad will operate these flights using an Airbus A321LR, capable of carrying up to 160 passengers. The aircraft’s cabin features two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. The First and Business class seats convert into fully flat beds and provide direct aisle access. Economy class passengers are equipped with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, and high-speed Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the aircraft. The long-range narrow-body jet enables the airline to offer three cabin classes on the Gothenburg route.
Enhanced international connectivity for Gothenburg through direct service
This schedule provides passengers with access to Abu Dhabi and Etihad’s extensive connecting network. Travelers eligible for the airline’s Abu Dhabi Stopover program can enjoy hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For those traveling from Gothenburg, the new route reduces the need for aircraft changes elsewhere in Europe before reaching Abu Dhabi. It also offers a direct seasonal service for travelers moving between western Sweden and the UAE.
Swedavia, operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the four-weekly schedule and December launch. The airport authority described this service as Gothenburg’s first direct link with the UAE. Swedavia’s Chief Executive Mats Johannesson also emphasized improved connections with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Gothenburg, an important hub for industry, research, and commerce on Sweden’s west coast, is served by the airport that caters to the city and a broader regional market across western Sweden.
The A321LR’s three-cabin layout introduces new options for Sweden’s western coast
Etihad’s Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves highlighted the aircraft’s three-cabin configuration when announcing the route. He also underscored Gothenburg’s industrial and research strengths as key features of the destination. The airline considers Gothenburg its 15th new destination launch of 2026. The seasonal service will operate throughout the winter period, four days a week, with the final scheduled operation on March 21, 2027, according to the timetable accompanying the route announcement.
The Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route expands Etihad’s network with another nonstop connection from its home hub. For Gothenburg, it establishes direct scheduled access to Abu Dhabi for the first time. Passengers can utilize the service for point-to-point trips or for onward connections through the UAE capital. The airline continues to list the Airbus A321LR as the aircraft for this route, with First, Business, and Economy cabins available. The announced launch date, frequency, and seasonal operation remain consistent with the details provided in the August 2026 announcement.