ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to introduce seasonal nonstop flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg starting on December 17, 2026. Operating four times weekly until March 21, 2027, this route will link Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport during the winter season. This marks the inaugural direct air service between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates and offers western Swedish travelers a nonstop route to the UAE capital.
By connecting Gothenburg with its main hub, the new Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg service allows passengers to access Etihad’s extensive network across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. Among the available destinations are Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. Passengers heading in the opposite direction will also benefit from direct seasonal flights to Gothenburg and western Sweden. The route was announced in August 2026, with bookings opening shortly thereafter.
An Airbus A321LR equipped with 160 seats will operate the Gothenburg route. The aircraft features two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. The First and Business cabins convert into fully flat beds and include direct aisle access. Economy class seats come with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, and high-speed Wi-Fi is available in all cabins. This configuration enables the airline’s three-cabin service to be offered on the four-weekly flights between the UAE and Sweden.
Gothenburg Gains Its First Direct Flight Connection to the UAE
Swedavia, which manages Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the route’s launch in December and its schedule of four flights each week. The company emphasized that this will be Gothenburg’s first direct link to the UAE. Swedavia’s Chief Executive, Mats Johannesson, also highlighted the improved connectivity with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Göteborg Landvetter Airport, serving Sweden’s second-largest city and its surrounding western region, is a key hub for industry, research, commerce, and international business on Sweden’s west coast.
Travelers arriving in Abu Dhabi will have access to onward flights across Etihad’s extensive network. Eligible passengers can also take advantage of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For those starting their journey in western Sweden, the route provides direct access to Abu Dhabi without the need for European connections. The service remains seasonal, operating during the winter timetable announced for 2026-2027.
Four-Weekly Flights Will Be Operated by Airbus A321LR
Etihad’s CEO, Antonoaldo Neves, underscored the significance of the Airbus A321LR when the airline revealed Gothenburg as a new destination, highlighting the city’s industrial and research strengths. The airline considers Gothenburg its 15th new destination for 2026. The aircraft allows Etihad to offer First, Business, and Economy cabins on the route. The flights are scheduled four days a week from the route’s December launch until the final operating date in March.
The last scheduled flight under this seasonal service is set for March 21, 2027. Until then, travelers can rely on the direct flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg throughout the winter period. These flights facilitate journeys between the two cities or serve as connections via the UAE capital. The airline continues to list the Airbus A321LR for this route, with the launch date, four-weekly frequency, aircraft type, and seasonal schedule remaining exactly as announced in August 2026.