Etihad Airways will begin flying between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg from December 17, 2026, operating four times a week through to March 21, 2027. The route marks Gothenburg’s first direct air connection to the UAE and, through Etihad’s Abu Dhabi hub, its first one-stop link to Asia.
The service is Etihad’s fifteenth new destination launch in 2026 and will be operated by the Airbus A321LR, the newest type in the airline’s fleet.
The aircraft is configured with two First Suites, 14 Business seats and 144 Economy seats. Both premium cabins offer fully flat beds with direct aisle access; Economy seats include 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen displays and high-speed Wi-Fi is available across all cabins.
“The A321LR is the aircraft that makes a route like this possible, bringing our full three-cabin product on a scale that suits Gothenburg. It is a city Scandinavia is rightly proud of, a centre of industry and research with an archipelago at its door. This new service gives 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. It also gives travellers the opportunity to experience Abu Dhabi itself before continuing their journey,” Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer said in a statement.
“We are very much looking forward to welcoming Etihad Airways in December. This is the first direct connection between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates. Companies in West Sweden conduct business across Asia, and many of our travelers have relatives, friends, and family in the region. The new service will strengthen connectivity for the region, particularly to the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. This investment demonstrates strong confidence in the Swedish aviation market and in West Sweden as a region,” Mats Johannesson, CEO of Swedavia Airports added.
Onward connections from Abu Dhabi include Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru and Colombo, making the route primarily aimed at Swedish travellers seeking efficient routing to South and Southeast Asia.
Etihad’s Abu Dhabi Stopover programme allows eligible connecting passengers to add a hotel stay of up to two nights in the capital at no additional cost.
Etihad-Gothenburg schedule: December 17, 2026 to March 21, 2027 (all times local)
| Flight No | From | Departure | To | Arrival | Frequency | Aircraft |
| EY175 | Abu Dhabi (AUH) | 02:50 | Gothenburg (GOT) | 07:25 | Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun | Airbus A321LR |
| EY176 | Gothenburg (GOT) | 09:10 | Abu Dhabi (AUH) | 18:55 | Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun | Airbus A321LR |
