ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways has announced the start of seasonal nonstop flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg beginning December 17, 2026. Operating four times weekly, the service will run through March 21, 2027, linking the UAE capital with Sweden’s second-largest city during the winter travel season. Ticket sales for these new Abu Dhabi to Gothenburg flights are already open. The flights will operate between Zayed International Airport and Göteborg Landvetter Airport.
This route marks Gothenburg’s inaugural direct air link with the United Arab Emirates, offering the city’s first nonstop connection to the Middle East and Asia. Travelers from western Sweden can now connect via Abu Dhabi to numerous destinations across India and Asia. Additionally, the new service provides direct access to Abu Dhabi for travelers departing from Gothenburg. Göteborg Landvetter Airport caters to Gothenburg and the broader western Sweden region.
Etihad will operate this route using an Airbus A321LR configured for 160 passengers, featuring two First Suites, 14 Business class seats, and 144 Economy seats. Both First and Business seats convert into fully flat beds and offer direct aisle access. Economy class passengers will enjoy 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, complemented by high-speed Wi-Fi available across all three cabins. The A321LR, a long-range narrow-body aircraft, was added to the airline’s fleet specifically for such routes.
Expanded connectivity across Asia through new route
The Gothenburg schedule will connect with multiple onward destinations via Abu Dhabi, including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo. The airline plans for the Gothenburg flight to arrive in Abu Dhabi in the evening, enabling passengers to utilize Etihad’s extensive network from its hub. Eligible travelers connecting in Abu Dhabi can also take advantage of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which allows hotel stays of up to two nights.
This route marks Etihad’s 15th new destination launch in 2026. Gothenburg, located on Sweden’s west coast, is a hub of industrial, research, and commercial activity. The city also functions as a gateway to the surrounding region and nearby archipelago. Swedavia, the operator of Göteborg Landvetter Airport, has underscored the importance of travel links between western Sweden and Asian markets, citing demand from both business travelers and visitors visiting friends and relatives.
Four weekly flights to be operated by Airbus A321LR
According to CEO Antonoaldo Neves, the A321LR enables the airline to offer its three-cabin service on the Gothenburg route. He emphasized the city’s significance in industry and research. Swedavia CEO Mats Johannesson highlighted that the new route will enhance regional connectivity with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia, describing it as the first direct link between Gothenburg and the UAE. Both leaders confirmed these details in their announcement on August 12.
Scheduled to run through the winter, the seasonal flights will maintain a frequency of four weekly departures until March 21, 2027. This route introduces a direct connection between Sweden and the UAE while providing Gothenburg passengers with direct flights to Abu Dhabi and beyond. Conversely, travelers from the UAE will have a nonstop option to western Sweden during the operating period. Following the August 12, 2026 announcement, the schedule, aircraft type, and operating dates remain unchanged.