Etihad Airways has announced a new seasonal service connecting Abu Dhabi with Gothenburg, Sweden, starting December 17, 2026, and operating four times a week until March 21, 2027, the airline said in a statement.

The route will mark Gothenburg's first direct air link to the Middle East and Asia, connecting Sweden's west coast with Abu Dhabi and offering some of the fastest one-stop connections to destinations across India and Asia via Etihad's Abu Dhabi hub, including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru, and Colombo.

Gothenburg is the fifteenth new destination Etihad has launched in 2026. The route will be operated by the Airbus A321LR, the newest aircraft in Etihad's fleet, configured with two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 in Economy. First and Business feature fully flat beds with direct aisle access, while Economy offers ergonomic seating with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen displays and high-speed Wi-Fi across all cabins.

Passengers connecting through Abu Dhabi can also take advantage of Etihad's complimentary Abu Dhabi Stopover programme, which allows eligible guests to add a hotel stay of up to two nights, as well as access to attractions including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Saadiyat Cultural District, and Yas Island.

Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said the Airbus A321LR was the aircraft that made a route like Gothenburg possible, bringing the airline's full three-cabin product to the city at a suitable scale. He said the new service would give the region its first direct air link to Asia and, through Abu Dhabi, some of the fastest connections to key destinations across India and Asia, while also allowing travellers to experience Abu Dhabi itself before continuing their journey.

Mats Johannesson, Chief Executive Officer of Swedavia Airports, said the airport operator was excited to welcome Etihad Airways in December, describing it as the first direct connection between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates. He noted that companies in West Sweden do business across Asia and that many travellers in the region have relatives and friends there, adding that the new service would strengthen connectivity to the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia and reflect confidence in the Swedish aviation market.

Etihad's website is now open for bookings for the new route.

Gothenburg is Sweden's second-largest city, located on the country's scenic west coast.

Source: PR