ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways will launch a seasonal nonstop route connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026. The airline plans to operate this service four times weekly until March 21, 2027. Flights will link Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport during the winter travel period. This new route provides a direct connection between the UAE capital and Sweden’s second-largest city. Tickets are already available through the airline’s booking channels.
The Gothenburg route marks the first direct air link between western Sweden and the United Arab Emirates. According to Etihad, it is also the first nonstop connection from Gothenburg to the Middle East and Asia. Travelers can connect via Abu Dhabi to 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. For UAE residents, the route offers direct access to western Sweden.
The airline will operate the route using an Airbus A321LR capable of carrying up to 160 passengers. The aircraft’s cabin configuration includes two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. First and Business class seats convert into fully flat beds and provide direct aisle access. Economy passengers benefit from 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, and high-speed Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the plane. The long-range narrow-body aircraft enables Etihad to provide three cabin classes on the Gothenburg route.
Expanded international connectivity for Gothenburg through direct service
The schedule offers passengers convenient access to Abu Dhabi and Etihad’s extensive connecting network. Eligible travelers can also take advantage of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which provides qualifying guests with hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For travelers from Gothenburg and nearby areas, the new route reduces the need for aircraft changes elsewhere in Europe before reaching Abu Dhabi. It also establishes a direct seasonal option for those traveling between western Sweden and the UAE.
Swedavia, the operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the route’s four-weekly schedule and its December launch. The airport authority described the service as Gothenburg’s first direct link with the UAE. Swedavia’s Chief Executive Mats Johannesson also highlighted the improved connections with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Gothenburg serves as a significant hub for industry, research, and commerce on Sweden’s west coast, with its airport catering to both the city and a broader regional market across western Sweden.
The A321LR’s three-cabin configuration enhances Sweden’s west coast air options
Etihad’s Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves emphasized the significance of the A321LR’s three-cabin layout when announcing the route. He also pointed out Gothenburg’s industrial and research strengths as key features of the destination. The airline notes Gothenburg as its 15th new destination launched in 2026. The seasonal service will operate throughout the winter period, four days a week, with the final scheduled flight on March 21, 2027, according to the timetable announced with the route.
The new Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route marks an additional nonstop connection within Etihad’s network from its primary hub. For Gothenburg, it provides the first direct scheduled access to Abu Dhabi. Passengers can opt for point-to-point travel or make onward connections through the UAE capital. The airline continues to specify the Airbus A321LR with First, Business, and Economy cabins for this route. The initially announced launch date, frequency, and seasonal operation period remain as initially detailed in August 2026.