ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways plans to introduce a seasonal nonstop route linking Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026. The airline will operate this route four times weekly until March 21, 2027. During the winter travel period, flights will connect Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport. This new service creates a direct connection between the UAE capital and Sweden’s second-largest city. Tickets are already available through the airline’s booking platforms.
The Gothenburg route marks the first direct air link between western Sweden and the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, Etihad describes this as Gothenburg’s inaugural nonstop connection to the Middle East and Asia. Travelers can transfer through Abu Dhabi to reach destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. The airline’s listed onward destinations include Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. The new route also offers UAE travelers direct access to western Sweden.
The airline will operate the flights using an Airbus A321LR, which can carry up to 160 passengers. The cabin features two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. Both First and Business cabins convert into fully flat beds and provide direct aisle access. Economy class passengers benefit from 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, and high-speed Wi-Fi is accessible 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
The flight schedule facilitates arrivals into Abu Dhabi with access to Etihad’s extensive connecting network. Eligible passengers can also take advantage of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which provides qualifying travelers with hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For travelers in the Gothenburg area, this new route reduces the need to switch aircraft elsewhere in Europe before reaching Abu Dhabi. It also offers a seasonal, direct travel option between western Sweden and the UAE.
Swedavia, the operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed that the route will operate four times weekly beginning in December. The airport authority described this as Gothenburg’s first direct link to the UAE. Swedavia Chief Executive Mats Johannesson also emphasized the improved connections with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Gothenburg, a key hub for industry, research, and commerce on Sweden’s west coast, is served by the airport that caters to the broader regional market across western Sweden.
A321LR introduces three-cabin service to Sweden’s west coast
Etihad Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves highlighted the A321LR’s three-cabin layout when unveiling the route, drawing attention to Gothenburg’s industrial and research strengths as part of the destination’s appeal. The airline lists Gothenburg as its 15th new destination launch of 2026. The seasonal service will operate during the entire winter period on four days each week, with the final scheduled operation date set for March 21, 2027, according to the timetable issued with the route announcement.
This Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route adds yet another nonstop connection to Etihad’s network from its home hub. For Gothenburg, it provides the first direct scheduled link to Abu Dhabi. Passengers can choose between point-to-point travel or onward connections via the UAE capital. The airline maintains the Airbus A321LR for this route, offering First, Business, and Economy cabins. The initial launch date, frequency, and seasonal operation schedule remain unchanged from the announcement made in August 2026.