ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to begin seasonal nonstop services between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg on December 17, 2026. The route will operate four times per week until March 21, 2027. During the winter season, flights will link Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport. This marks the first direct air link between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates and provides travelers in western Sweden with a nonstop option to the UAE capital.
The new route from Abu Dhabi to Gothenburg will connect passengers to Etihad’s broader network through its main hub. From there, travelers can reach destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. The airline lists Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo as available connections. Conversely, passengers heading in the opposite direction will gain seasonal direct access to Gothenburg and western Sweden. Ticket sales commenced when the airline announced the route in August 2026.
The airline intends to operate the Gothenburg route using an Airbus A321LR with capacity for 160 passengers. This aircraft features two First Suites, 14 Business class seats, and 144 Economy seats. Both First and Business cabins can be converted into fully flat beds and offer direct aisle access. Economy seats are equipped with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems. The aircraft also provides high-speed Wi-Fi throughout all cabins. The configuration allows Etihad to extend its three-cabin service to the four-weekly flights between the UAE and Sweden.
Gothenburg Gains Its First Direct UAE Flight Connection
Swedavia, operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed that the service will launch in December with a schedule of four flights each week. The company emphasized that this route establishes Gothenburg’s first direct link to the UAE. Swedavia’s CEO, Mats Johannesson, also highlighted the enhanced connectivity with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Serving Sweden’s second-largest city and its western region, Göteborg Landvetter Airport is a hub for industry, research, commerce, and international business on Sweden’s west coast.
The schedule enables arriving passengers in Abu Dhabi to connect to Etihad’s extensive network. Eligible travelers can also take advantage of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which provides hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital for qualifying passengers. For those starting their journey in western Sweden, the route offers direct access to Abu Dhabi without needing a European flight connection. This seasonal service will operate during the 2026-2027 winter timetable as announced.
Etihad’s Airbus A321LR to Operate the Seasonal Service
When Etihad announced Gothenburg as a new destination, CEO Antonoaldo Neves underscored the significance of the Airbus A321LR aircraft. He also acknowledged Gothenburg’s strong industrial and research sectors. The airline considers this its 15th new destination launch in 2026. The aircraft’s configuration enables the airline to offer First, Business, and Economy cabins on the route. Scheduled for four days each week, the service will commence in December and run through the last flight scheduled for March 21, 2027.
The route will provide direct scheduled flights between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg for the entire winter season, with the final flight scheduled for March 21, 2027. Passengers can travel directly between the two cities or connect through the UAE capital. The airline maintains the Airbus A321LR as the aircraft type for this service. The details of the launch date, the four-flight-per-week frequency, and the seasonal operating window remain unchanged from the initial August 2026 announcement.
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