ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to introduce seasonal nonstop flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026. The route will operate four times weekly until March 21, 2027. During the winter period, flights will link Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport. This service establishes the first direct air connection between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates, offering western Sweden travelers a nonstop option to reach the UAE capital.
The new Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route will connect passengers with Etihad’s broader network via its hub. From there, travelers can reach destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. The airline lists cities such as Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo among its available connections. Conversely, those traveling from Gothenburg will benefit from direct seasonal flights to the UAE, with bookings opening when the route was announced in August 2026.
An Airbus A321LR with 160 seats is planned for operating the Gothenburg route. This aircraft features two First Suites, 14 Business class seats, and 144 Economy seats. The First and Business seats convert into fully flat beds and provide direct aisle access, while Economy seats come equipped with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems. The aircraft also offers high-speed Wi-Fi in all cabins. This configuration extends the airline’s three-cabin product to the four-weekly service connecting the UAE and Sweden.
Gothenburg sees its first direct flight link to the UAE
Swedavia, the operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed that the route would launch in December with a schedule of four flights per week. The company emphasized that this marks Gothenburg’s first direct connection with the UAE. Swedavia’s CEO, Mats Johannesson, also highlighted that the route will enhance links to the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Göteborg Landvetter Airport serves Sweden’s second-largest city and the surrounding western region. Gothenburg is recognized as a significant hub for industry, research, commerce, and international business on Sweden’s west coast.
The schedule offers travelers arriving in Abu Dhabi access to onward flights via Etihad’s extensive network. Eligible passengers can also participate in the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which includes 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 the need for European layovers. The service will operate seasonally during the 2026-2027 winter timetable, as announced.
Operating the route with Airbus A321LR aircraft
When announcing Gothenburg as a new destination, Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves highlighted the Airbus A321LR, citing the city’s industrial and research strengths. The airline considers Gothenburg its 15th new destination launch of 2026. The aircraft enables Etihad to offer First, Business, and Economy cabins on this route. Scheduled for four days a week starting from its December debut through the last flight in March, the service remains consistent with previous announcements.
The final scheduled flight of the seasonal program will take place on March 21, 2027. Until then, the route will provide direct scheduled flights between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg throughout the winter period, suitable for journeys in either direction or connecting through the UAE capital. The airline continues to operate the Airbus A321LR for this service. The launch date, four-weekly frequency, aircraft type, and seasonal schedule have all remained as originally announced in August 2026.