ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways plans to commence seasonal nonstop flights linking Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg beginning December 17, 2026. The airline will operate these flights four times each week until March 21, 2027. This new route will connect the UAE capital with Sweden’s second largest city during the winter travel season. Tickets for the inaugural flights between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg are already on sale. The flights will operate between Zayed International Airport and Göteborg Landvetter Airport.
This route will mark Gothenburg’s first direct air link with the United Arab Emirates, providing its first nonstop service to the Middle East and Asia. Passengers traveling from western Sweden will be able to connect via Abu Dhabi to numerous destinations across India and Asia. Conversely, travelers departing from the Gothenburg area will gain direct access to Abu Dhabi. Göteborg Landvetter Airport serves as a key gateway for Gothenburg and the broader western Sweden region.
Etihad will operate this route using an Airbus A321LR, configured to carry 160 passengers. The aircraft features two First Suites, 14 Business class seats, and 144 Economy seats. Both First and Business Class seats can be converted into fully flat beds and offer direct aisle access. Economy class passengers will enjoy 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, and high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity is available throughout all three cabin classes. The A321LR is a long-range narrow-body aircraft that has recently joined Etihad’s fleet.
New route enhances single-stop access to Asian destinations
The Gothenburg schedule will facilitate onward connections through Abu Dhabi to a variety of Asian locations, including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. The airline plans for the Gothenburg arrival in Abu Dhabi to occur in the evening, enabling passengers to utilize Etihad’s extensive network from its main hub. Eligible travelers connecting through Abu Dhabi can also take advantage of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers hotel stays of up to two nights.
Etihad regards Gothenburg as its 15th new destination launch of 2026. Situated on Sweden’s western coast, Gothenburg is a hub of industrial, research, and commercial activity. The city also functions as a gateway to the surrounding region and nearby archipelago. Swedavia, the operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, has emphasized the growing travel links between western Sweden and Asian markets. The airport’s management has also noted strong demand for business travel and visits to friends and relatives.
Four weekly flights operated by Airbus A321LR
According to Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves, the Airbus A321LR allows Etihad to offer its three-cabin product on the Gothenburg route. He also highlighted the significance of industry and research sectors within the Swedish city. Swedavia’s CEO, Mats Johannesson, stated that the new service will strengthen regional ties with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Both executives confirmed the route as part of the announcement made on August 12, emphasizing its importance as the first direct connection between Gothenburg and the UAE.
The seasonal service will operate four times per week throughout the winter period, with the final scheduled flight on March 21, 2027. The addition of this route creates a direct link between Sweden and the UAE, offering Gothenburg travelers access to Abu Dhabi and onward destinations, while UAE passengers will benefit from a nonstop flight to western Sweden during the operating months. The schedule, aircraft type, and operating dates announced on August 12, 2026, remain unchanged.