ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to introduce seasonal nonstop flights linking Abu Dhabi with Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026. The airline will operate these services four times weekly until March 21, 2027, connecting the UAE’s capital with Sweden’s second-largest city during the winter travel season. Tickets for the new route between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg are already on sale. The flights will run between Zayed International Airport and Göteborg Landvetter Airport.
This route will mark Gothenburg’s first direct air link with the United Arab Emirates and will establish its inaugural nonstop service to the Middle East and Asia. Travelers from western Sweden can connect via Abu Dhabi to numerous destinations across India and Asia. Additionally, the new flights will give Gothenburg region residents direct access to Abu Dhabi. Göteborg Landvetter Airport serves Gothenburg and the surrounding western Sweden area.
Etihad will operate the route using an Airbus A321LR configured for 160 passengers, featuring two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. The premium cabins convert into fully flat beds with direct aisle access, while Economy seats are equipped with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems. High-speed Wi-Fi is available across all cabins. The A321LR, a long-range narrow-body aircraft, recently joined Etihad’s fleet to expand its route network.
New Route Enhances Asia-Connecting Options
Gothenburg flights will connect with numerous onward services via Abu Dhabi, including destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. The airline schedules Gothenburg arrivals in Abu Dhabi for the evening, allowing passengers to access the airline’s broader network from its main hub. Eligible travelers can also take advantage of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which provides hotel stays of up to two nights.
Gothenburg is the airline’s 15th new destination launched in 2026. Located on Sweden’s west coast, the city is a hub for industry, research, and commerce, serving as a gateway to the surrounding region and nearby archipelago. Swedavia, operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, has emphasized the importance of travel links between western Sweden and Asian markets, citing demand from business travelers and visitors visiting friends and relatives.
Aircraft Will Operate Four Weekly Flights
According to CEO Antonoaldo Neves, the A321LR enables Etihad to offer its three-cabin product on the Gothenburg route. He highlighted industry and research as key features of the Swedish city. Swedavia CEO Mats Johannesson pointed out that the new service will strengthen regional connectivity with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia, describing it as the first direct link between Gothenburg and the UAE. Both executives confirmed these details during the announcement on August 12.
The seasonal schedule will maintain four weekly flights throughout its planned winter operation, concluding on March 21, 2027. The route introduces a direct connection between Sweden and the UAE, providing Gothenburg passengers with access to Abu Dhabi and other connecting destinations, while travelers from the UAE will enjoy a nonstop flight option to western Sweden during the operational period. The schedule, aircraft type, and operating dates remain consistent with the initial announcement made on August 12, 2026.