ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways will introduce a seasonal nonstop route connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026. Operating four times weekly until March 21, 2027, this service will link Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport during the winter travel period. Tickets are already accessible through the airline’s booking platforms.
This new route marks Gothenburg’s first direct air link with the United Arab Emirates. Etihad describes it as Gothenburg’s inaugural nonstop connection to the Middle East and Asia. Travelers will be able to connect through Abu Dhabi to destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. Additionally, the route offers UAE travelers direct access to western Sweden.
Flights will be operated using an Airbus A321LR, which accommodates up to 160 passengers. The aircraft’s cabin features two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. First and Business class seats convert into fully flat beds with direct aisle access, while Economy passengers enjoy 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems. High-speed Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the aircraft, and the long-range narrow-body jet enables Etihad to provide three cabin classes on the Gothenburg route.
Enhanced international connectivity for Gothenburg with direct service
The schedule facilitates travelers’ entry into Abu Dhabi, granting access to Etihad’s extensive connecting network. Eligible passengers can also benefit from the airline’s Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which provides qualifying travelers with hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For those in the Gothenburg area, this new route reduces the need to change aircraft elsewhere in Europe before reaching Abu Dhabi, creating a direct seasonal option for trips 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 service as Gothenburg’s first direct connection with the UAE. Swedavia’s Chief Executive, Mats Johannesson, also noted improved links with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Gothenburg, an important hub for industry, research, and commerce on Sweden’s west coast, is served by this airport, which caters to the regional market across western Sweden.
A321LR introduces three-cabin configuration to Sweden’s west coast
Etihad’s Chief Executive, Antonoaldo Neves, emphasized the aircraft’s three-cabin layout when announcing the route, highlighting Gothenburg’s industrial and research significance as key features of the destination. The airline lists Gothenburg as its 15th new destination launch of 2026. The seasonal service will run throughout the winter period, operating four days each week, with its final scheduled date set for March 21, 2027, according to the timetable accompanying the route announcement.
The Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route extends Etihad’s nonstop network from its main hub, offering Gothenburg its first direct scheduled flight to Abu Dhabi. Passengers can use the service for point-to-point travel or as a gateway to onward destinations through the UAE capital. The airline maintains the Airbus A321LR as its aircraft of choice for this route, providing First, Business, and Economy cabins. The announced launch date, service frequency, and seasonal operating period remain consistent with the details shared in August 2026.