ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to commence seasonal nonstop flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Gothenburg starting on December 17, 2026. The route is scheduled to operate four times per week until March 21, 2027, linking Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport during the winter season. This new service establishes the first direct air link between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates and offers western Sweden travelers a nonstop connection to the UAE capital.
Connecting passengers to Etihad’s extensive network via its hub, the new Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg flight allows for continued journeys to destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo, as listed by the airline. Those traveling in the opposite direction will benefit from direct seasonal access to Gothenburg and western Sweden. The airline revealed the route when booking opened in August 2026, coinciding with the route announcement.
For the Gothenburg route, Etihad intends to deploy an Airbus A321LR configured with 160 seats, featuring two First Suites, 14 Business class seats, and 144 Economy seats. The First and Business cabins offer fully flat beds and direct aisle access, while Economy class seats are equipped with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems and high-speed Wi-Fi throughout all cabins. This aircraft setup extends Etihad’s three-cabin product to the four weekly flights connecting the UAE and Sweden, enhancing the passenger experience on this seasonal route.
Gothenburg achieves its first direct connection to the UAE
Swedavia, responsible for operating Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the start of services in December and the schedule of four flights per week. The company emphasized that this route marks Gothenburg’s inaugural direct link to the UAE, with Chief Executive Mats Johannesson highlighting the enhancement of connections to the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Serving Sweden’s second-largest city and the surrounding western region, Göteborg Landvetter Airport is a key hub for industry, research, commerce, and international business along Sweden’s west coast.
The flight schedule provides travelers arriving in Abu Dhabi with access to onward flights across Etihad’s extensive network, as well as the opportunity to participate in the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers eligible passengers hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For those starting their journey in western Sweden, this route offers direct access to Abu Dhabi without the need for an additional European flight connection. The service will operate seasonally throughout the winter timetable announced for 2026-2027.
The Airbus A321LR will serve the four-weekly flights
When announcing Gothenburg as a new destination, Etihad’s Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves underscored the capabilities of the Airbus A321LR, noting the Swedish city’s strong industrial and research foundation. The airline considers Gothenburg its 15th new destination launch of 2026, with the aircraft enabling the carrier to provide First, Business, and Economy cabins on this route. The airline has scheduled the service to operate four days each week, starting from the December launch through the last flight scheduled for March.
The final flight in the seasonal schedule is set for March 21, 2027. Until then, the route will offer direct scheduled services between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg throughout the winter period, serving both point-to-point travelers and those connecting through the UAE capital. Etihad continues to list the Airbus A321LR as the aircraft for this route, with the launch date, four-flight weekly frequency, aircraft type, and seasonal schedule remaining exactly as announced in August 2026.