ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways will begin operating seasonal nonstop flights between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026. These flights are scheduled to run four times weekly until March 21, 2027. During the winter season, the route will connect Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport. This marks the first direct air link between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates and provides western Sweden travelers with a nonstop route to the UAE capital.
The newly launched Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route enables passengers to access Etihad’s extensive network via its main hub. Travelers can reach destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, with options including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. Conversely, passengers flying from Gothenburg will have direct seasonal access to the UAE, with bookings opening when the airline announced the route in August 2026.
Etihad plans to operate this route using an Airbus A321LR configured with 160 seats. The aircraft features two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. The First and Business cabins convert into fully flat beds and offer direct aisle access. Economy class seats include 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems. High-speed Wi-Fi is available in all cabins. This configuration extends the airline’s three-cabin product to the four weekly flights between the UAE and Sweden.
Gothenburg Sees Its First Direct Flight to the UAE
Swedavia, which manages Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the route’s launch in December along with the four-flights-per-week schedule. The company highlighted that this route establishes Gothenburg’s very first direct connection to the UAE. Swedavia CEO Mats Johannesson also emphasized the enhancement of links with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Göteborg Landvetter Airport serves Sweden’s second-largest city and the nearby western region. Gothenburg is recognized as a significant hub for industry, research, commerce, and international business on Sweden’s west coast.
The schedule allows travelers arriving in Abu Dhabi to connect to Etihad’s broader network. Eligible passengers can also utilize the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which provides qualifying travelers with hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For those originating in western Sweden, the route offers direct access to Abu Dhabi without the need for a European connection. The service will operate seasonally during the winter timetable announced for 2026-2027.
Airbus A321LR Will Operate the Four-Flight Weekly Service
Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves highlighted the Airbus A321LR when the airline announced Gothenburg as a new destination. He also noted the city’s strong industrial and research presence. The airline considers Gothenburg its 15th new destination launch of 2026. The aircraft’s configuration enables Etihad to offer First, Business, and Economy cabins on this route. The airline scheduled the flights for four days each week from the route’s December start through its final operation in March.
The last scheduled flight under this seasonal plan is set for March 21, 2027. Until then, the route will provide direct scheduled service between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg during the winter period. Passengers can travel between the two cities or connect through the UAE capital. The airline maintains its use of the Airbus A321LR for this route, with the initial launch details, four-weekly frequency, aircraft type, and seasonal operation remaining exactly as announced in August 2026.