ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to initiate seasonal nonstop flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg starting on December 17, 2026. The route will operate four times weekly until March 21, 2027. During the winter season, flights will link Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport. This marks the first direct air link between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates, offering western Swedish travelers a nonstop option to reach the UAE capital.
Passengers on the new Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route will connect seamlessly to Etihad’s broader network via its main hub. They can continue their journey to destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo, as listed by the airline. The return service provides seasonal direct access to Gothenburg and western Sweden, with bookings opening when the route was announced in August 2026.
An Airbus A321LR with 160 seats will operate the Gothenburg route. This aircraft features two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. Both First and Business cabins convert into fully flat beds and offer direct aisle access, while Economy class seats are equipped with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems. All cabins benefit from high-speed Wi-Fi. This configuration expands Etihad’s three-cabin service to include four weekly flights between the UAE and Sweden during the winter season.
Gothenburg’s inaugural direct UAE flight scheduled for December
Swedavia, which operates Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the December launch and the four-flights-per-week schedule. The company emphasized that this route establishes Gothenburg’s first direct connection with the UAE. Swedavia’s Chief Executive Mats Johannesson also highlighted the improved connectivity with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. The airport serves Sweden’s second-largest city and the surrounding western region, positioning Gothenburg as a key hub for industry, research, commerce, and international business along Sweden’s west coast.
The schedule allows travelers arriving in Abu Dhabi to access onward flights within Etihad’s extensive network. Eligible passengers can also benefit from 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 a direct flight to Abu Dhabi, eliminating the need for a European connection. The service remains seasonal, according to the timetable announced for the 2026-2027 winter period.
Aircraft choice: Airbus A321LR to operate seasonal service
When the airline announced Gothenburg as a new destination, Etihad’s Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves highlighted the Airbus A321LR. He also remarked on Gothenburg’s strong industrial and research sectors. The airline has included Gothenburg as its 15th new destination of 2026. The aircraft enables Etihad to offer First, Business, and Economy cabins on the route. The airline schedules the service for four days each week from its December start until the final operation in March.
The last scheduled flight in the seasonal timetable is set for March 21, 2027. Until then, direct service will be maintained between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg during the winter season. The flights can be used for travel between the two cities or for connecting onward within Etihad’s network. 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.