ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is scheduled to begin seasonal nonstop flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026, with operations running four times weekly until March 21, 2027. The new route will link Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport during the winter months. This marks the first direct air route between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates, offering western Sweden travelers a nonstop option to reach the UAE capital.
Connecting passengers to Etihad’s broader network through its hub in Abu Dhabi, the new service provides seamless access to destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, with options including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. Those traveling in the reverse direction will benefit from direct seasonal flights to Gothenburg and western Sweden. Tickets for the route were made available shortly after the airline announced the service in August 2026.
On this route, Etihad plans to deploy an Airbus A321LR aircraft configured with 160 seats, comprising two First Suites, 14 Business Class seats, and 144 Economy seats. The First and Business cabins convert into fully flat beds and provide direct aisle access, while Economy passengers can enjoy 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems and high-speed Wi-Fi across all cabins. This configuration enhances the airline’s three-cabin product, expanding it to a four-flight weekly service between the UAE and Sweden, beginning in December and continuing through March.
Gothenburg Gains Its First Direct Flight Link to the UAE
Swedavia, the operator responsible for Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the route’s December start and the schedule of four weekly flights, emphasizing that this marks the first direct connection between Gothenburg and the UAE. Swedavia’s CEO, Mats Johannesson, also noted that the new route enhances accessibility to the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Serving Sweden’s second-largest city and the western region, Göteborg Landvetter Airport is a key hub for industry, research, commerce, and international business on Sweden’s west coast.
The flight schedule facilitates onward travel from Abu Dhabi across Etihad’s extensive network, and eligible passengers can also take advantage of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which provides qualifying travelers hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE capital. For travelers originating in western Sweden, the route offers a direct link to Abu Dhabi without the need for a European connection. The service will operate seasonally during the winter period as per the timetable announced for 2026-2027.
Airbus A321LR to Operate the Four-Flight Weekly Schedule
When the airline announced Gothenburg as a new destination, Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves highlighted the Airbus A321LR aircraft, noting its capacity to serve the route efficiently while also emphasizing Gothenburg’s industrial and research significance. This marks the 15th new destination Etihad has launched in 2026. The aircraft allows for a three-class cabin setup, offering First, Business, and Economy seating, and the airline has scheduled flights four days per week from the start in December until the final flight scheduled in March.
The last flight under this seasonal schedule is set for March 21, 2027, but until then, the route will provide direct scheduled services connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg throughout the winter period. Passengers can utilize these flights for travel between the two cities or for connections via Abu Dhabi, and Etihad confirms that the Airbus A321LR remains the aircraft type for this service, with no changes to the launch date, frequency, or seasonal operation as announced in August 2026.