ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways plans to introduce seasonal nonstop flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg beginning December 17, 2026. The route will operate four times per week until March 21, 2027, linking the UAE capital with Sweden’s second-largest city during the winter travel season. Ticket sales for the new Abu Dhabi to Gothenburg service are already open. 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, providing its inaugural nonstop connection to the Middle East and Asia. Travelers from western Sweden can now transit through Abu Dhabi en route to destinations across India and Asia. Additionally, this new service offers direct access to Abu Dhabi for passengers departing from the Gothenburg region. Göteborg Landvetter Airport serves Gothenburg along with the broader western Sweden market.
Etihad will operate this route using an Airbus A321LR configured for 160 passengers, featuring two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. Both First and Business class seats convert into fully flat beds and have direct aisle access. Economy class offers 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, complemented by high-speed Wi-Fi across all three cabins. The A321LR, a long-range narrow-body aircraft, has recently been added to the airline’s fleet.
New Route Broadens One-Stop Travel Options Across Asia
The Gothenburg schedule is designed to connect with multiple onward flights from Abu Dhabi. Notable destinations include Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. The airline plans to arrive in Abu Dhabi during the evening, allowing passengers to connect to its extensive network from its hub. Eligible travelers can also take advantage of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers hotel stays of up to two nights.
Gothenburg is the 15th new destination launched by Etihad in 2026. Located on Sweden’s west coast, the city is a hub of industrial, research, and commercial activity. It also serves as a gateway to the surrounding region and nearby archipelago. Swedavia, responsible for operating Göteborg Landvetter Airport, has emphasized the importance of travel links between western Sweden and Asian markets. The airport operator also noted strong demand from business travelers and those visiting friends and family.
Four Weekly Flights to Be Operated by Airbus A321LR
Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves stated that the A321LR enables the airline to offer its three-cabin service on the Gothenburg route. He highlighted the city’s importance for industry and research. Swedavia CEO Mats Johannesson commented that the new service will enhance regional connectivity with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia, describing it as Gothenburg’s first direct link to the UAE. Both leaders confirmed the route as part of the announcement made on August 12.
The seasonal flights are scheduled to operate four times weekly throughout the winter period, with the final service on March 21, 2027. This route creates a direct connection between Sweden and the UAE, offering Gothenburg travelers access to Abu Dhabi and other destinations. UAE travelers will also benefit from a nonstop flight to western Sweden during the operating season. The schedule, aircraft type, and operating period will remain as originally announced following the August 12, 2026, reveal.