ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to introduce seasonal nonstop flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg beginning December 17, 2026. These flights are scheduled to operate four times per week until March 21, 2027, linking the UAE capital with Sweden’s second-largest city during the winter travel season. Tickets for the new route between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg are already available. The flights will run between Zayed International Airport and Göteborg Landvetter Airport.
This route marks Gothenburg’s first direct air link with the United Arab Emirates, opening up the city’s first nonstop connection to the Middle East and Asia. Travelers from western Sweden can connect via Abu Dhabi to various destinations across India and Asia. Additionally, this new service provides direct access to Abu Dhabi for those departing from the Gothenburg region. The route will be operated by an Airbus A321LR configured to carry 160 passengers, with two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. Both First and Business cabins feature fully flat beds and direct aisle access, while Economy seats include 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems and high-speed Wi-Fi across all cabins. The A321LR has recently joined Etihad’s fleet as a long-range narrow-body aircraft.
New Route Enhances One-Stop Travel to Asia
The Gothenburg schedule will connect with a variety of onward flights through Abu Dhabi, including routes to Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. The airline plans for the Gothenburg arrival in Abu Dhabi to be in the evening, enabling passengers to utilize Etihad’s extensive network from its hub. Eligible travelers connecting through Abu Dhabi may also participate in the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers hotel stays of up to two nights.
Gothenburg is counted among Etihad’s 15 new destinations launched in 2026. Situated on Sweden’s west coast, the city boasts significant industrial, research, and commercial activity. It also functions as a gateway to the surrounding region and nearby archipelago. Swedavia, operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, has emphasized travel links between western Sweden and Asian markets, citing increased demand driven by business travel and visits to friends and relatives.
The Airbus A321LR Will Operate Four Weekly Flights
Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves highlighted that the A321LR enables Etihad to offer its three-cabin product on the Gothenburg route. He also pointed out industry and research as notable aspects of the Swedish city. Swedavia’s Chief Executive Mats Johannesson noted that the new service will strengthen regional connectivity with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia, describing it as Gothenburg’s first direct link to the UAE. Both executives reaffirmed the route during the announcement made on August 12.
The seasonal flights are scheduled to operate four times weekly throughout the designated winter period, with the final flight planned for March 21, 2027. The new route provides a direct connection between Sweden and the UAE, offering Gothenburg passengers access to Abu Dhabi and onward destinations, while travelers from the UAE gain a nonstop option to western Sweden during the service period. The details of the schedule, aircraft type, and operational dates remain unchanged following the announcement on August 12, 2026.