ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to introduce a seasonal nonstop route connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026. The service will operate four times weekly until March 21, 2027, providing direct flights between Zayed International Airport and Göteborg Landvetter Airport during the winter travel period. This new route creates a direct link between the UAE capital and Sweden’s second-largest city, with tickets now available via the airline’s booking channels.
This service will mark Western Sweden’s first direct air connection with the United Arab Emirates. According to Etihad, it also represents Gothenburg’s inaugural nonstop route to the Middle East and Asia. Passengers will have the opportunity to connect through Abu Dhabi to numerous cities 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 direct access to western Sweden, enhancing regional connectivity.
The flights will be operated 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. Both First and Business class seats can be converted into fully flat beds with direct aisle access, ensuring comfort for long-haul travelers. Economy passengers will enjoy 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, while high-speed Wi-Fi will be accessible throughout the aircraft. The long-range narrow-body jet allows Etihad to offer a three-class cabin configuration on the Gothenburg route.
Enhanced international connectivity for Gothenburg through direct flights
The new schedule facilitates arrivals into Abu Dhabi with access to Etihad’s extensive connecting network. Eligible passengers can also take advantage of the airline’s Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers qualifying travelers hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For travelers from Gothenburg, the new service reduces the need to transfer between aircraft elsewhere in Europe before reaching Abu Dhabi, providing a direct seasonal route between western Sweden and the UAE for the first time.
Swedavia, the operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the four-weekly schedule with a December launch. The organization describes this service as Gothenburg’s first direct connection to the UAE, while also highlighting improved links to the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Gothenburg, a key hub for industry, research, and commerce on Sweden’s west coast, benefits from the airport’s service to a broader regional market in western Sweden.
The Airbus A321LR introduces three-cabin travel options to Sweden’s west coast
Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves emphasized the significance of the A321LR’s three-cabin layout when announcing the route, noting Gothenburg’s strong industrial and research profile as a key feature of the destination. The airline considers Gothenburg its 15th new destination launch of 2026. The seasonal flight service will operate throughout the winter period, four days a week, with the final scheduled operation on March 21, 2027, according to the timetable announced at the route’s debut.
This Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg connection adds to Etihad’s network of nonstop routes originating from its main hub. For Gothenburg, it establishes direct scheduled access to Abu Dhabi for the first time. Passengers can use the service for direct journeys or for onward connections via the UAE capital. The airline maintains the Airbus A321LR for this route, offering First, Business, and Economy cabins. The launch date, flight frequency, and seasonal operation period remain as announced in August 2026, ensuring consistent service for winter travelers.