ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to begin seasonal nonstop flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026. The service will operate four times weekly through March 21, 2027, linking Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport during the winter months. This marks the first direct air route between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates and provides western Swedish travelers with a nonstop connection to the UAE capital.
The newly introduced Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route will connect passengers to Etihad’s extensive network via its main hub. Travelers will be able to reach destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. Passengers traveling in the reverse direction will also benefit from direct seasonal flights to Gothenburg and western Sweden. The airline announced the route in August 2026, with bookings opening shortly thereafter.
For the Gothenburg route, Etihad plans to deploy an Airbus A321LR featuring 160 seats. The aircraft’s cabin configuration includes two First Suites, 14 Business class seats, and 144 Economy seats. Both First and Business class seats convert into fully flat beds and provide direct aisle access, while Economy seats are equipped with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems. High-speed Wi-Fi is available across all cabins. This configuration expands the airline’s three-cabin product to its four-weekly flights between the UAE and Sweden.
Swedavia confirms Gothenburg’s inaugural direct UAE air link
Swedavia, which manages Göteborg Landvetter Airport, verified the December launch and the four-flight-per-week schedule. The company emphasized that this route is Gothenburg’s first direct connection with the UAE. Swedavia CEO Mats Johannesson also highlighted the enhanced links with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Serving Sweden’s second-largest city, Göteborg Landvetter Airport is a key hub for industry, research, commerce, and international business on Sweden’s west coast.
The schedule offers arriving passengers in Abu Dhabi access to onward flights across Etihad’s network. Eligible passengers can also take advantage of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which provides qualifying travelers with hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For those starting their journey in western Sweden, the route provides a direct connection to Abu Dhabi without needing a European flight transfer. The service will remain seasonal as per the timetable for the 2026-2027 winter season.
Airbus A321LR to operate the seasonal four-weekly flights
When announcing Gothenburg as a new destination, Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves pointed out the significance of the Airbus A321LR aircraft and highlighted Gothenburg’s industrial and research base. The airline considers this its 15th new route launch of 2026. The aircraft allows for the provision of First, Business, and Economy cabins on the route. The airline has scheduled flights four days each week from December until the final operation in March.
The last scheduled flight under the seasonal plan will be on March 21, 2027. Until then, the route will provide direct, scheduled service between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg throughout the winter period. Passengers can choose the flights for travel between the two cities or for connections through the UAE capital. Etihad maintains the Airbus A321LR for this route, with the launch date, four-weekly frequency, aircraft type, and seasonal schedule all remaining as announced in August 2026.