ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to launch a seasonal non-stop route linking Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026. The service will operate four times weekly until March 21, 2027, connecting Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport during the winter travel period. This new route creates a direct link between the UAE capital and Sweden’s second-largest city. Tickets are already on sale through the airline’s booking platforms.
The Gothenburg route will mark western Sweden’s first direct air connection with the United Arab Emirates. Etihad characterizes it as Gothenburg’s initial nonstop link with the Middle East and Asia. Passengers will have the option to connect via Abu Dhabi to destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. Forwarding destinations include Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. Additionally, the route offers UAE travelers a direct route to western Sweden.
The airline will operate the flights using an Airbus A321LR that seats up to 160 passengers. The aircraft’s cabin features two First Suites, 14 Business class seats, and 144 Economy seats. First and Business seats can be converted into fully flat beds and provide direct aisle access. Economy passengers can enjoy 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, with high-speed Wi-Fi accessible across the aircraft. The long-range narrow-body jet enables the airline to offer three cabin classes on the Gothenburg route.
Nonstop route enhances Gothenburg’s global air connectivity
The schedule allows travelers to arrive in Abu Dhabi with access to Etihad’s extensive network. Eligible passengers may also participate in the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For those in the Gothenburg region, this new route reduces the need for multiple layovers elsewhere in Europe before reaching Abu Dhabi. It also provides a seasonal direct option for travelers moving between western Sweden and the UAE.
Swedavia, the operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the four-weekly schedule and December launch. The airport authority described the new service as Gothenburg’s first direct connection with the UAE. Swedavia CEO Mats Johannesson also emphasized the enhancement of links with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Gothenburg serves as a key hub for industry, research, and commerce along Sweden’s west coast. Its airport caters to the city and a broader regional market across western Sweden.
Three-cabin Airbus A321LR facilitates service to Sweden’s west coast
Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves highlighted the three-cabin configuration of the A321LR when announcing the new route. He also noted Gothenburg’s industrial and research strengths as key features of the destination. The airline has included Gothenburg as its 15th new destination in 2026. The seasonal flights will operate throughout the winter period, four days each week. The final scheduled operation is set for March 21, 2027, consistent with the timetable announced alongside the route.
This Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route adds a further nonstop connection to Etihad’s network from its main hub. For Gothenburg, it creates the first direct scheduled service to Abu Dhabi. Passengers can utilize this route for direct travel or for onward connections through the UAE capital. The airline maintains the Airbus A321LR as the aircraft of choice, featuring First, Business, and Economy cabins. The confirmed launch date, frequency, and seasonal operation remain as originally announced in August 2026.