ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to launch a seasonal nonstop route connecting Abu Dhabi with Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026. The service will operate four times weekly until March 21, 2027, linking Zayed International Airport to Göteborg Landvetter Airport over the winter season. This new route establishes a direct connection between the UAE’s capital and Sweden’s second-largest city. Tickets are already available via the airline’s booking channels.
The 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 with the Middle East and Asia. Passengers can transfer through Abu Dhabi to destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. Notable onward destinations include Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. Moreover, the route offers residents of the UAE direct access to western Sweden.
Operated by an Airbus A321LR with capacity for up to 160 travelers, the flight features a cabin with two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. The First and Business Class seats convert into fully flat beds with direct aisle access, while Economy passengers can enjoy 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems. High-speed Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the aircraft. Thanks to the long-range narrow-body design, the airline can offer three cabin classes on this Gothenburg route.
Enhanced international connectivity boosts Gothenburg’s global links
This schedule allows passengers to access Abu Dhabi’s broader network, including connections to various international destinations. Eligible travelers can also benefit from the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers hotel stays of up to two nights in the UAE’s capital. For travelers from Gothenburg, the new route reduces the need for aircraft changes elsewhere in Europe before reaching Abu Dhabi, providing a direct seasonal option for trips between western Sweden and the UAE.
Swedavia, responsible for operating Göteborg Landvetter Airport, confirmed the four-weekly schedule with a December start date. The airport authority described the service as Gothenburg’s first direct connection with the UAE. Swedavia CEO Mats Johannesson also highlighted improved links to the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Gothenburg remains a key hub for industry, research, and commerce on Sweden’s west coast, with its airport serving both the city and a wider regional area across western Sweden.
The Airbus A321LR introduces a three-class layout to Sweden’s west coast
Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves emphasized the three-cabin configuration of the A321LR when announcing the route, noting Gothenburg’s industrial and research importance as additional highlights of the destination. The airline lists Gothenburg as its 15th new route launching in 2026. The seasonal service will operate during the winter months on four days each week, with the final scheduled flight on March 21, 2027, according to the timetable announced alongside the route details.
The Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route expands Etihad’s network with another nonstop link from its main hub. For Gothenburg, this route provides the first direct scheduled access to Abu Dhabi. Passengers may use it for point-to-point flights or onward connections through the UAE capital. The airline maintains plans to operate the route with the Airbus A321LR, offering First, Business, and Economy cabins. The announced launch date, frequency, and seasonal operation remain as originally stated in August 2026.