ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways will introduce seasonal nonstop flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg beginning December 17, 2026. The route will operate four times weekly until March 21, 2027. During the winter season, flights will link Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport. This marks the first direct air route between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates, offering travelers in western Sweden a nonstop option to the UAE capital.
The new service between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg connects passengers to Etihad’s broader network via its hub. Travelers can reach destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. Etihad includes Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo among its available connections. Passengers heading in the opposite direction will gain seasonal direct access to Gothenburg and western Sweden. Bookings began when the airline announced the route in August 2026.
On this route, Etihad plans to operate an Airbus A321LR with 160 seats. The aircraft features two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. First and Business class seats convert into fully flat beds and have direct aisle access. Economy seats include 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems. The aircraft also provides high-speed Wi-Fi across all cabins. This configuration extends Etihad’s three-cabin product to the four-weekly service between the UAE and Sweden.
Gothenburg Gains Its First Direct UAE Flight
Swedavia, which operates Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the December start and the four-flights-per-week schedule. The company said this route is Gothenburg’s first direct link with the UAE. Swedavia CEO Mats Johannesson highlighted the improved connections 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.
This schedule provides travelers arriving in Abu Dhabi with options for connecting flights across Etihad’s network. Eligible passengers can also benefit from the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For travelers starting in western Sweden, the route offers direct access to Abu Dhabi without European connections. The service will remain seasonal during the 2026-2027 winter schedule.
Airbus A321LR to Service the Four-Weekly Route
Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves emphasized the Airbus A321LR when announcing Gothenburg as a new destination. He also pointed out the city’s industrial and research capabilities. Gothenburg is listed as Etihad’s 15th new destination for 2026. The aircraft allows Etihad to operate First, Business, and Economy cabins on this route. The airline has scheduled flights four days a week from December until the last flight in March.
The final flight of the seasonal program is scheduled for March 21, 2027. Until then, the route will offer direct scheduled service between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg for the winter season. Travelers can use the flights for travel between the two cities or for connecting onward through Abu Dhabi. Etihad continues to list the Airbus A321LR as the aircraft for this service. The launch date, four-weekly flights, aircraft type, and seasonal schedule remain exactly as announced in August 2026.