ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to introduce seasonal nonstop flights linking Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg beginning December 17, 2026. The airline will run these flights four times weekly until March 21, 2027. This new route will connect the UAE capital with Sweden’s second-largest city during the winter travel season. Tickets for the Abu Dhabi to Gothenburg service are already on sale. The flights will operate between Zayed International Airport and Göteborg Landvetter Airport.
This service marks Gothenburg’s first direct air link with the United Arab Emirates and establishes its initial nonstop connection to the Middle East and Asia. Western Swedish travelers can now connect through Abu Dhabi to various destinations across India and Asia. Additionally, the new route provides direct access to Abu Dhabi for those traveling from the Gothenburg region. The airport serving the city, Göteborg Landvetter Airport, caters to Gothenburg and the broader western Sweden area.
The airline will operate the route using an Airbus A321LR configured for 160 passengers, featuring two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. Both First and Business classes offer seats that convert into fully flat beds with direct aisle access. Economy passengers will enjoy 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, and high-speed Wi-Fi will be available in all three classes. The A321LR, a long-range narrow-body aircraft, is now part of Etihad’s fleet.
New Route Broadens One-Stop Travel Options Across Asia
The Gothenburg schedule connects with multiple onward flights via Abu Dhabi, including destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. The airline plans the Gothenburg arrival in Abu Dhabi during the evening hours, allowing passengers to access its extensive network from the hub. Eligible travelers can also participate in the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers hotel stays of up to two nights.
This expansion makes Gothenburg the airline’s 15th new destination launched in 2026. Located on Sweden’s west coast, Gothenburg is known for its vibrant industrial, research, and commercial sectors. It also serves as a gateway to the surrounding region and nearby archipelago. Swedavia, operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, has highlighted the importance of travel links between western Sweden and Asian markets, noting demand driven by business travel and visits to relatives and friends.
The Airbus A321LR will operate four flights per week
Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves mentioned that the A321LR enables the airline to offer its three-cabin service on the Gothenburg route. He also emphasized the significance of industry and research for the city of Gothenburg. Swedavia Chief Executive Mats Johannesson stated that the new service enhances regional connectivity with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia, and described it as the first direct link between Gothenburg and the UAE. Both leaders confirmed these details in the announcement made on August 12.
The seasonal flights are scheduled to continue four times a week through the winter period, with the final flight planned for March 21, 2027. The route creates a direct connection between Sweden and the UAE, offering Gothenburg passengers access to Abu Dhabi and other connecting destinations. During the operating season, travelers from the UAE will also benefit from a nonstop flight option to western Sweden. The planned schedule, aircraft type, and operating dates remain as initially announced on August 12, 2026.