ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to commence seasonal nonstop flights linking Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg beginning December 17, 2026. This route will operate four times each week until March 21, 2027, providing a direct connection from Zayed International Airport to Göteborg Landvetter Airport during the winter months. It marks the first-ever direct air link between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates and offers residents of western Sweden an uninterrupted route to the UAE capital.
The newly introduced Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route will integrate passengers into Etihad’s broader network via its main hub, enabling onward travel to destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. The airline specifies Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo as some of the available connection points. Passengers traveling in the reverse direction will benefit from direct seasonal access to Gothenburg and the western Swedish region. Ticket sales began when the airline announced the route in August 2026.
For this route, Etihad plans to deploy an Airbus A321LR with capacity for 160 seats, including two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. The First and Business class seats convert into fully flat beds and feature direct aisle access, while Economy class seats are equipped with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems. The aircraft will also provide high-speed Wi-Fi throughout all cabins. This configuration enables the airline to extend its three-cabin service offering to its four weekly flights between the UAE and Sweden during this seasonal period.
Gothenburg welcomes its first direct UAE flight
Swedavia, the operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed that the service will commence in December, with flights scheduled four times weekly. The company emphasized that this route signifies Gothenburg’s inaugural direct connection to the UAE. Swedavia’s CEO, Mats Johannesson, also highlighted the enhancement of links to the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Serving Sweden’s second-largest city and surrounding western region, Göteborg Landvetter Airport plays a vital role in the area’s industry, research, commerce, and international business on the west coast of Sweden.
The schedule allows arriving passengers in Abu Dhabi to connect seamlessly to Etihad’s extensive network, while qualifying travelers can also participate in the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which provides hotel accommodations of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For travelers originating in western Sweden, the route offers a direct flight to Abu Dhabi, eliminating the need for European connections. This service will operate seasonally, as per the timetable announced for the 2026-2027 winter schedule.
Aircraft choice for the four-flights-per-week route is the Airbus A321LR
When Etihad announced Gothenburg as a new destination, CEO Antonoaldo Neves underscored the importance of the Airbus A321LR, noting the city’s strong industrial and research sectors. The airline marked Gothenburg as its 15th new destination launched in 2026. The aircraft’s capabilities allow Etihad to offer a three-cabin configuration—First, Business, and Economy—on this route. The airline has scheduled the service to operate four days each week from its December launch until the final flight in March.
The last flight under this seasonal plan is scheduled for March 21, 2027. Until then, passengers will have the option of direct scheduled flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg during the entire winter period, suitable for both point-to-point travel and connections through the UAE capital. The airline continues to specify the Airbus A321LR for this service, with the initial launch date, four-weekly frequency, aircraft type, and seasonal operation remaining exactly as announced in August 2026.