ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to launch a seasonal nonstop route linking Abu Dhabi with Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026, with flights scheduled four times weekly until March 21, 2027. This route will connect Zayed International Airport to Göteborg Landvetter Airport during the winter travel season, providing a direct connection between the UAE capital and Sweden’s second-largest city. Tickets for this service are currently available through the airline’s booking channels.
The new route marks the first direct air link between western Sweden and the United Arab Emirates, according to Etihad, which also states that it is Gothenburg’s inaugural nonstop route to the Middle East and Asia. Passengers will have the option to connect through Abu Dhabi to various destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. Additionally, the service offers travelers from the UAE a straightforward route to western Sweden.
Operated by an Airbus A321LR accommodating up to 160 passengers, the flights will feature two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. The First and Business class seats can be transformed into fully flat beds and provide direct aisle access, while Economy passengers will enjoy 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems. The aircraft is equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi throughout, making use of the long-range narrow-body jet’s capacity to support three cabin classes on the Gothenburg route.
Enhanced international connectivity boosts Gothenburg’s global air links
This schedule facilitates entry into Abu Dhabi with access to Etihad’s extensive connecting network, and eligible travelers can also benefit from the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers qualifying passengers hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For travelers originating from Gothenburg, this new route minimizes the need for aircraft transfers elsewhere in Europe before reaching Abu Dhabi and provides a direct seasonal option for those traveling between western Sweden and the UAE.
Swedavia, responsible for operating Göteborg Landvetter Airport, has confirmed the four-weekly schedule with a launch in December. The airport operator has described the service as Gothenburg’s first direct connection with the UAE. Swedavia’s CEO, Mats Johannesson, also pointed out that the route will improve links with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Situated on Sweden’s west coast, Gothenburg is a prominent hub for industry, research, and commerce, with its airport serving both the city and a broader regional market across western Sweden.
The A321LR Enables a Three-Cabin Service on Sweden’s West Coast
When announcing the route, Etihad Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves emphasized the aircraft’s three-cabin configuration, highlighting Gothenburg’s industrial and research significance as features of the destination. The airline lists Gothenburg as its 15th new destination launching in 2026. The seasonal service is scheduled to operate during the entire winter period, four days per week, with the final planned operation date remaining March 21, 2027, as per the timetable shared at the route announcement.
This Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route adds another nonstop connection to Etihad’s network from its primary hub, establishing for the first time direct scheduled access for Gothenburg residents to Abu Dhabi. Passengers can choose the service for point-to-point travel or for onward connections via the UAE capital. The airline will continue to operate the route using the Airbus A321LR, featuring First, Business, and Economy cabins, with the launch date, schedule, and seasonal operation period remaining consistent with the initial announcement from August 2026.