ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways plans to start seasonal nonstop flights between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg on December 17, 2026. These flights will operate four times weekly until March 21, 2027. The route will link the UAE capital with Sweden’s second-largest city during the winter travel season. Tickets for the new service from Abu Dhabi to Gothenburg are currently available. Flights will operate between Zayed International Airport and Göteborg Landvetter Airport.
This route will be Gothenburg’s first direct air connection to the United Arab Emirates. It will also establish the city’s first nonstop link to the Middle East and Asia. Travelers from western Sweden can connect through Abu Dhabi to various destinations across India and Asia. Moreover, the service offers direct access to Abu Dhabi for passengers leaving from Gothenburg. Göteborg Landvetter Airport serves Gothenburg as well as the broader western Sweden region.
The airline will operate the route using an Airbus A321LR configured for 160 passengers. The aircraft features two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. Both First and Business classes convert into fully flat beds and have direct aisle access. Economy seats come with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems. The aircraft is equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi across all three cabin classes. The A321LR, a long-range narrow-body aircraft, is now part of the carrier’s fleet.
New Route Enhances Connectivity to Asia via One-Stop
The Gothenburg schedule will connect seamlessly with numerous onward flights through Abu Dhabi. Notable connections include 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 access the airline’s extensive network from its main hub. Eligible travelers can also take advantage of the Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which offers hotel stays of up to two nights.
Gothenburg ranks as the 15th new destination introduced by Etihad in 2026. Located on Sweden’s west coast, the city is known for its industrial, research, and commercial sectors. It also serves as a gateway to the surrounding region and nearby archipelago. Swedavia, which manages Göteborg Landvetter Airport, has emphasized the importance of travel links between western Sweden and Asian markets. The airport operator has also noted strong demand stemming from business travel and visits to relatives and friends.
Four Weekly Flights to be Operated by Airbus A321LR
CEO Antonoaldo Neves stated that the A321LR allows the airline to offer its three-cabin product on the Gothenburg route. He also highlighted industry and research as key reasons for choosing the Swedish city. Swedavia CEO Mats Johannesson mentioned that the new route will strengthen regional links with the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Both leaders confirmed the service as part of the announcement made on August 12, 2026.
The seasonal schedule will maintain four flights each week during the entire winter period, with the last scheduled flight on March 21, 2027. This route creates a direct Sweden-UAE connection and provides Gothenburg passengers with access to Abu Dhabi and onward destinations. Conversely, travelers from the UAE will have a nonstop option to western Sweden during the operating season. The schedule, aircraft type, and operational period will remain consistent following the announcement on August 12, 2026.