ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is scheduled to begin seasonal nonstop services linking Abu Dhabi with Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026. The airline will operate this route four times each week until March 21, 2027. During the winter months, flights will connect Zayed International Airport to Göteborg Landvetter Airport. This marks the first direct air link between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates, offering travelers in western Sweden a nonstop connection to the UAE capital.
The newly introduced Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route will serve as a gateway to Etihad’s extensive network through its main hub. Passengers will have the option to continue onward to destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, with connections including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. For those traveling in the opposite direction, this service provides direct seasonal access to Gothenburg and western Sweden. Ticket sales began when the airline announced this route in August 2026.
The airline plans to deploy an Airbus A321LR with 160 seats for this route. The aircraft features two First Suites, 14 Business class seats, and 144 Economy seats. All First and Business seats convert into fully flat beds and offer direct aisle access. Economy class seats are equipped with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, complemented by high-speed Wi-Fi available throughout all cabins. This configuration extends the airline’s three-cabin service to the four weekly flights connecting the UAE and Sweden during the winter season.
Gothenburg reaches a milestone as the first city in Sweden with direct UAE air service
Swedavia, the operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed that the new route will commence in December with a schedule of four flights each week. The company highlighted that this will be Gothenburg’s inaugural direct connection to the UAE. Swedavia’s Chief Executive, Mats Johannesson, also emphasized the enhanced links with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Göteborg Landvetter Airport serves Sweden’s second-largest city and the surrounding western region, which is a hub for industry, research, commerce, and international business along the west coast of Sweden.
The timetable allows travelers arriving in Abu Dhabi to access onward flights across Etihad’s extensive network. Eligible passengers may also take advantage of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers qualifying guests hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For travelers originating in western Sweden, the route provides a direct link to Abu Dhabi without the need for an additional European flight. The service will operate seasonally as per the announced schedule for the 2026-2027 winter period.
The Airbus A321LR will operate the four-flights-per-week schedule
Highlighting the aircraft choice, Etihad’s Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves pointed out the Airbus A321LR when the airline announced Gothenburg as a new destination. He also noted the significance of Gothenburg’s industrial and research sectors. The airline considers this the 15th new destination launched in 2026. The aircraft’s configuration allows Etihad to offer First, Business, and Economy cabins on this route, which is scheduled to operate four days each week from December through March.
The final scheduled flight under this seasonal plan will be on March 21, 2027. Until then, the route will maintain direct scheduled services connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg throughout the winter season. Travelers can use these flights for travel between the two cities or to connect onward through the UAE capital. The airline continues to list the Airbus A321LR for this service, with the launch date, four-weekly frequency, aircraft type, and seasonal operation remaining exactly as announced in August 2026.