ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to introduce a seasonal nonstop route connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026. Operating four times weekly, the flights will continue until March 21, 2027. During the winter travel period, services will link Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport. This new route establishes a direct connection between the UAE’s capital and Sweden’s second-largest city. Tickets are already available via the airline’s booking platforms.
The Gothenburg route will mark western Sweden’s first direct air link with the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, Etihad describes this as Gothenburg’s inaugural nonstop connection with the Middle East and Asia. Travelers will have the option to connect through Abu Dhabi to numerous destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. The airline’s listed onward flights include Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. For UAE residents, this route also offers direct access to western Sweden.
The airline plans to operate these flights using an Airbus A321LR, which can seat up to 160 passengers. The aircraft’s cabin configuration comprises two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. The First and Business Class seats convert into fully flat beds and provide direct aisle access. Economy travelers benefit from 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, and high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the aircraft. The long-range narrow-body aircraft enables Etihad to offer three cabin classes on the Gothenburg route.
Enhanced international connectivity for Gothenburg through direct service
This schedule allows passengers arriving in Abu Dhabi to access Etihad’s extensive connecting network. Eligible travelers can also take advantage of the carrier’s Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers qualifying guests hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For travelers from the Gothenburg region, the new route minimizes the need to change aircraft elsewhere in Europe before reaching Abu Dhabi. It also provides a seasonal direct option for those traveling between western Sweden and the UAE.
Swedavia, the operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the four-weekly schedule and December launch date. The airport authority called this Gothenburg’s first direct route to the UAE. Swedavia’s Chief Executive Mats Johannesson also noted the improvements in links with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Gothenburg, an important hub for industry, research, and commerce on Sweden’s west coast, is served by the airport, which caters to a broader regional market across western Sweden.
A321LR enables three-cabin service on Sweden’s west coast
When unveiling the route, Etihad Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves highlighted the A321LR’s three-cabin layout. He also emphasized Gothenburg’s industrial and research significance as key features of the destination. The airline counts Gothenburg as its 15th new destination launch of 2026. The seasonal service will operate throughout the winter period on four days each week, with the final scheduled flight on March 21, 2027, as per the timetable announced with the route launch.
This Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route introduces another nonstop connection to Etihad’s network from its main hub. For Gothenburg, the route offers the first direct scheduled flights to Abu Dhabi. Passengers can choose the service for point-to-point travel or for onward connections via the UAE capital. The airline continues to operate the route with an Airbus A321LR, offering First, Business, and Economy cabins. The departure date, weekly frequency, and seasonal operation schedule remain consistent with the details released in August 2026.