ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to launch a seasonal nonstop route connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026. The flight service will operate four times weekly until March 21, 2027. During the winter travel period, flights will link Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport. This new route creates a direct connection between the UAE capital and Sweden’s second-largest city. Tickets are already available via the airline’s booking channels.
The Gothenburg route marks the first direct air link between western Sweden and the United Arab Emirates. Etihad also notes that this is Gothenburg’s inaugural nonstop connection to the Middle East and Asia. Passengers can transfer through Abu Dhabi to reach destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. The listed onward options include Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. Additionally, the route offers UAE travelers direct access to western Sweden.
Flights will be operated using an Airbus A321LR, capable of carrying up to 160 passengers. The aircraft’s cabin configuration features two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. Both First and Business class seats convert into fully flat beds and provide direct aisle access. Economy class passengers will enjoy 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, complemented by high-speed Wi-Fi 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
The new schedule allows passengers arriving in Abu Dhabi to access Etihad’s extensive connecting network. Eligible travelers can also benefit from the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which provides qualifying passengers with hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For travelers from Gothenburg, the new route reduces the need for aircraft changes elsewhere in Europe before reaching Abu Dhabi. It also offers a direct seasonal 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. The airport authority described the new service as Gothenburg’s first direct connection with the UAE. Swedavia’s Chief Executive Mats Johannesson also highlighted the improved links with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Gothenburg, a major hub for industry, research, and commerce on Sweden’s west coast, serves a broad regional market across western Sweden through its airport.
A321LR introduces three-cabin service to Sweden’s west coast
Etihad’s Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves emphasized the significance of the A321LR’s three-cabin layout during the route announcement, highlighting Gothenburg’s industrial and research credentials as key attributes of the destination. The airline listed Gothenburg as its 15th new destination launch in 2026. The seasonal service will operate throughout the winter period, with flights scheduled four days each week. The final operational date remains set for March 21, 2027, as per the timetable accompanying the route announcement.
The introduction of the Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route adds another nonstop link to Etihad’s global network from its hub. For Gothenburg, this marks the first scheduled direct service to Abu Dhabi, providing convenient options for point-to-point travel or onward connections through the UAE capital. The airline continues to operate the Airbus A321LR for this route, maintaining the First, Business, and Economy cabin offerings. The launch date, frequency, and seasonal operation details remain consistent with the initial August 2026 announcement.