ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways will launch a seasonal nonstop service connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026. The route will operate four times weekly until March 21, 2027, linking Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport during the winter travel season. This new flight creates a direct connection between the UAE’s capital and Sweden’s second-largest city. Tickets are currently available via the airline’s booking platforms.
This new Gothenburg route marks the first direct air link between western Sweden and the United Arab Emirates. Etihad describes it as Gothenburg’s inaugural nonstop connection to the Middle East and Asia. Passengers will be able to connect through Abu Dhabi to destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, with listed onward routes including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. The new service also offers travelers from the UAE straightforward access to western Sweden.
The airline will operate the route using an Airbus A321LR, accommodating up to 160 travelers. The aircraft’s cabin features two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. Both First and Business class seats convert into fully flat beds and provide direct aisle access. Economy passengers are equipped with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, and high-speed Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the aircraft. The long-range narrow-body allows Etihad to provide three cabin classes on this Gothenburg route.
Enhanced international connectivity for Gothenburg with direct service
The flight schedule enables travelers arriving in Abu Dhabi to access Etihad’s extensive connecting network. Eligible passengers can also benefit from the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers qualifying guests hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For those in the Gothenburg region, this route reduces the need for additional layovers within Europe before reaching Abu Dhabi, providing a direct seasonal option for travel between western Sweden and the UAE.
Swedavia, which manages Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the four-weekly schedule and December launch. The airport authority described the service as Gothenburg’s first direct route to the UAE. CEO Mats Johannesson also highlighted the improved connections with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Gothenburg is a key hub for industry, research, and commerce along Sweden’s west coast, with the airport serving both the city and a broader regional market across western Sweden.
A321LR introduces three-class service to Sweden’s western coast
Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves emphasized the significance of the A321LR’s three-cabin configuration when announcing the new route. He also pointed out Gothenburg’s strong industrial and research sectors as notable features of the destination. The airline considers Gothenburg its 15th new destination launch of 2026. The seasonal flight will operate throughout the winter period on four days each week, with the final scheduled operation date being March 21, 2027, as per the timetable released with the route announcement.
This Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg flight adds yet another nonstop connection to Etihad’s network from its hub. For Gothenburg, it establishes direct scheduled access to Abu Dhabi for the first time, offering both point-to-point travel and onward connections through the UAE capital. The airline maintains the Airbus A321LR as the aircraft of choice, with cabins in First, Business, and Economy. The original launch date, frequency, and seasonal operation period remain consistent with the details announced in August 2026.
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