ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways will begin seasonal nonstop flights linking Abu Dhabi with Gothenburg on December 17, 2026. The airline will operate the route four times per week until March 21, 2027. During the winter months, flights will connect Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport. This service establishes the first direct air link between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates and provides travelers in western Sweden with a nonstop route to the UAE capital.
The newly introduced Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route will connect passengers to Etihad’s extensive network through its hub. From there, travelers can reach destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia. Among the available options are Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru and Colombo. Those traveling in the opposite direction will have direct seasonal access to Gothenburg and western Sweden. Ticket sales commenced when the airline announced the route in August 2026.
Etihad plans to operate the Gothenburg route with an Airbus A321LR featuring 160 seats. The aircraft is equipped with two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. The First and Business cabins include fully flat beds and offer direct aisle access. Economy class passengers will enjoy 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, along with high-speed Wi-Fi available throughout all cabins. The aircraft configuration introduces the airline’s three-cabin product to this four-weekly service connecting the UAE and Sweden.
Gothenburg Gains Its First Direct Flight Link to the UAE
Swedavia, which manages Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the launch in December and the four-flights-per-week schedule. The organization emphasized that this marks Gothenburg’s first direct connection to the UAE. Swedavia’s CEO, Mats Johannesson, also 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, which is a hub for industry, research, trade, and international commerce on Sweden’s west coast.
The schedule provides travelers arriving in Abu Dhabi with onward options across Etihad’s network. Connecting passengers can also take advantage of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers qualifying guests up to two nights’ hotel stay in the UAE capital. For those beginning their journey in western Sweden, the route offers direct access to Abu Dhabi without needing an intermediate European flight. This service will operate seasonally during the winter timetable announced for 2026-2027.
Four Weekly Flights Will Be Operated by Airbus A321LR
When announcing Gothenburg as a new destination, Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves underscored the capabilities of the Airbus A321LR and highlighted the city’s industrial and research strengths. The airline considers Gothenburg its 15th new destination launch in 2026. The aircraft allows for First, Business, and Economy cabins on the route, which is scheduled to operate four days each week from December through March.
The final flight under this seasonal schedule is set for March 21, 2027. Until then, the route will provide consistent direct service between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg over the winter period. These flights serve both travel between the two cities and connections via the UAE capital. The Airbus A321LR remains the aircraft type used for this service. All details—launch date, frequency, aircraft type, and seasonal operation—are consistent with the original August 2026 announcement.