ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways has announced the commencement of seasonal nonstop flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg, beginning on December 17, 2026. The airline will operate these flights four times a week until March 21, 2027, providing a direct winter service between the UAE capital and Sweden’s second-largest city. Tickets for the new route are already available for booking. The flights will operate between Zayed International Airport and Göteborg Landvetter Airport.
This route marks Gothenburg’s first direct air link with the United Arab Emirates and establishes its inaugural nonstop connection to the Middle East and Asia. Passengers from western Sweden will be able to connect through Abu Dhabi to various destinations across India and Asia. Additionally, the new service offers travelers departing from Gothenburg easy access to Abu Dhabi and beyond. Göteborg Landvetter Airport serves both Gothenburg and the broader western Sweden region, facilitating these new international links.
Operated by an Airbus A321LR configured to carry 160 passengers, Etihad Airways’ new route features two First Suites, 14 Business class seats, and 144 Economy seats. The First and Business cabins have fully flat beds with direct aisle access, enhancing comfort for premium travelers. Economy seats come equipped with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, and high-speed Wi-Fi is available across all cabins. The A321LR, a long-range narrow-body aircraft, has been added to the airline’s fleet specifically for routes requiring extended reach.
Expanded connectivity across Asia with the new service
The Gothenburg schedule will connect with multiple onward destinations via Abu Dhabi, including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. The airline plans to arrive in Abu Dhabi in the evening, allowing passengers to utilize the extensive network from its main hub. Travelers eligible for connecting flights can also take advantage of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers hotel stays for up to two nights to enhance their travel experience.
Gothenburg is recognized as the 15th new destination launched by Etihad in 2026. Located on Sweden’s west coast, the city plays a significant role in industrial, research, and commercial sectors. It also acts as a regional gateway, offering access to the surrounding areas and nearby archipelago. Swedavia, the operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, has emphasized the strong demand for travel links between western Sweden and Asian markets, driven by business travel and visits to friends and relatives.
Four weekly flights operated by Airbus A321LR enhance regional links
CEO Antonoaldo Neves highlighted that the Airbus A321LR enables the airline to offer its signature three-cabin product on the Gothenburg route. He further pointed out that industry and research are key sectors of interest for the Swedish city. Swedavia CEO Mats Johannesson noted that the new route will strengthen regional connectivity with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia, describing it as the first direct connection linking Gothenburg with the UAE. Both executives reaffirmed these plans in their statements released on August 12.
The seasonal service will continue operating four times per week throughout the scheduled winter period, ending on March 21, 2027. This route not only establishes a direct connection between Sweden and the UAE but also offers Gothenburg residents access to Abu Dhabi and its network of destinations. Meanwhile, travelers from the UAE will benefit from a nonstop option to western Sweden during the operational period. The schedule, aircraft type, and operational period announced on August 12, 2026, will remain unchanged.